GLENN W, HERRICK 




Class Ji_ii_a^a^ 

Book . H 4- 

CDEfl«GiiT DEPOSm 



INSECTS OF ECONOMIC 
IMPORTANCE 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Lti>. 

TORONTO 



INSECTS OF ECONOMIC 
IMPORTANCE 



Outlines of Lectures in Economic 
Entomologv 



BY, ;j(;^ 
GLENN W^HERRICK 

w 
Professor of Economic Entomology, Cornell University 



New and Revised Edition 



NEW YORK, N. Y. 
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1920 



e^^ 






Copyright 1915 and 1920 
By The Macmillan Company 



New and Revised Edition. Published, May, 1920 



JUL 17 1920 



©CI.A570754 



^M/^ I 



PREFACE 

Not all insects of economic importance are in- 
cluded in these outlines. To discuss them all, a 
book many times the size of this would be needed. 
However, the principal pests of our important 
fruits, vegetables, cereals, farm animals, shade- 
trees, and of the household are discussed. A brief 
summary of the life habits of each, so far as they 
are known, is made, and the latest methods of con- 
trol are outlined. In addition, a concise discussion 
of insecticides is given together with formulae and 
directions for making and applying them. 

Since the first edition of these outlines was pub- 
lished important advances have been made in our 
knowledge of the habits and control of many in- 
sect pests. Therefore, in this new edition some 
changes in the text and many additions to it have 
been made in an attempt to bring it down to date. 

As in the previous edition, references are again 
given to the more important sources of information 
regarding the insects and their control. As far as 
possible, references are made to bulletins available 
to the general student and to those publications giv- 
ing faithful illustrations of the insects, together 
with the most approved methods of control. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Losses Causkd p.y Insects 2 

Useful Insects 4 

Entomological Literature 6 

Natural Methods of Insect Control 8 

Artificial Methods of Insect Control .... 10 

Poison Insecticides 11 

Poison Baits 17 

Contact Insecticides 18 

Fumigating Substances 27 

Miscellaneous Means of Insect Control ... 29 

Dusting 30 

Quarantine and In.secticide Laws 33 

Insects Injurious to Orchard Trees and Fruits . 36 

Insects Injurious to Small Fruits 71 

Insects Injurious to Vegetables 88 

Insects Injurious to Hops 109 

Insects Injurious to Tobacco 112 

Insects Injurious to Cereal Crops 114 

Clover and Alfalfa Pests 123 

Cotton Pests 127 

Insects Injurious to Stored Grain 130 

Insects Injurious to Greenhouse Plants . . . 131 

Insects Injurious to Shade Trees 137 

Insects Injurious to Farm Animals .... 144 

External Parasites of Poultry 153 

Insects Injurious to the Household 158 



INSECTS OF ECONOMIC 
IMPORTANCE 



The science of economic entomology has made 
rapid progress during the last twenty years. It has 
advanced astonishingly in the number of persons 
engaged in the study of insects for the purpose of 
preventing their ravages, in developing and per- 
fecting mixtures for repelling and killing insects, in 
devising effective apparatus for applying insecti- 
cides, and in determining more exact methods of 
preventing the losses caused by these persistent 
pests. The following outlines of lectures are in- 
tended to cover, as far as is possible in a brief, gen- 
eral course, the different phases of the subject of 
economic entomology as it exists to-day. 

OBJECTS OF THE COURSE 

(a) To become acquainted with the common in- 
sect pests and with their habits and life histories in 
order that they may be fought intelligently. 

(b) To become acquainted with the modern and 
most practical methods of fighting insect pests. 

TWO PHASES OF ENTOINIOLOGY 

(a) The pure science of entomology. 

(b) The economic or science applied of ento- 
mology. 

The pure science of entomology is a study of the 
kinds of insects together with their relationships to 

I 



2 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

each other, their structure, habits, and transforina- 
tions. It is a work of research and pleasure and 
forms the basis of economic entomology. 

Economic entomology is research on the life his- 
tories and habits of injurious insects and the deter- 
mination of some method whereby their ravages 
may be avoided or controlled. 

LOSSES CAUSED BY INSECTS 

The losses caused by insects in the United States 
alone are estimated to aggregate more than a bil- 
lion dollars annually.^ 

The value of the different crops and products 
produced in 1909 in the United States is given in 
round numbers in the following table, the figures 
being taken mainly from the census of 1910. The 
losses by insect pests are estimated to be at least 
10% of the value of these products and in two cases 
at least 20%. 

Percentage of Total loss 
Product J'alue in igog loss by insects by insects 

Cereals 2,600,000,000 10 $260,000,000 

Other grains and seeds 97,000,000 10 9,700,000 

Hay and forage 824,000,000 10 82,400,000 

Tobacco 104,000,000 10 10,400,000 

Cotton and seed 825,000,000 10 82,500,000 

Sugar crops 62,000,000 10 6,200,000 

Minor crops 18,000,000 10 1,800,000 

Vegetables 418,000,000 20 83,600,000 

Fruits and nuts 222,000,000 20 44,400,000 

Flowers and plants. .. . 35,000,000 10 3,500,000 

Nursery products .... 21,000.000 10 2,100,000 

Farm forests 195,000,000 10 19,500,000 

Animal products 3,000,000,000 10 300,000,000 

Forests 10 - 100,000.000 

Stored products •. . • 10 ^ 200,000,000 

$1,206,100,000 

Ouaintance estimates the annual loss to the de- 

1 Marlatt— Jr. Ec. Ent., Vol. 4, p. 109. 

2 Hopkins— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 58, Pt. 5. 

3 Estimated. 



LOSSES BY INSECTS 3 

ciduous fruit interests of the United States as over 
$66,000,000. 

The annual loss to the people of the United 
States from malarial diseases carried by mosquitoes 
is not less than $100,000,000.^ The loss to agri- 
culture and other industries as a result of malaria 
is enormous.^ 

The loss that has been caused by yellow fever, 
carried only by mosquitoes, cannot now be esti- 
mated but was certainly very great. 

Typhoid fever, due in large measure, at least, to 
its dissemination by the house-fly, causes a very 
great annual monetary loss. 

The Mexican cotton-boll weevil costs Texas at 
least $25,000,000 annually, and it is estimated that 
when it spreads over the whole cotton area it will 
cause a yearly loss of $250,000,000. 

The Hessian wheat-fly in 1900 cost the wheat 
growers $100,000,000. 

The chinch bug during the period from 1S50 to 
1909 caused a loss estimated as probably in excess 
of $350,000,000.'' 

The codling moth causes the fruit growers of the 
U. S. a loss of over $12,000,000 and of New York, 
alone, more than $3,000,000 annually. 

COST OF FIGHTING INSECTS 

To the destruction occasioned by insects must be 
added the cost of fighting them. 

It is estimated that it costs $4,000,000 to spray 
the apple trees in the United States for the codling 
moth. 

It is said that it costs $10,000,000 annually to 
spray for the San Jose scale. 

4 Howard -U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 78. 

^ Herrick — Popular Science Monthly, April, 1903. 

c Webster— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 113. 



4 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

It costs $10,000,000 to screen against the house- 

%. 

The New England States and the Federal Gov- 
ernment have already spent over $10,000,000 in 
fighting the gypsy and brown-tail moths and at the 
present time are spending fully $1,000,000 per an- 
num. 

OUR INSECT FOES ARE INCREASING 

Insect pests are coming from foreign countries — 
San Jose scale, gypsy moth, Mexican cotton-boll 
w^eevil, and many others — unaccompanied by nat- 
ural checks."^ 

Out of y2> of o^^i" worst pests, at least 37 or over 
half have been imported from foreign countries. 

Insects once harmless become serious pests ow- 
ing to changed conditions — Colorado potato beetle, 
blister-mite, redbugs, et al.^ 

Happily, not all insects are injurious; many of 
them are beneficial. 

USEFUL INSECTS 

Silk-worms furnish material for clothing. 

Scale insects produce a waxy material from which 
shellac is made. Shellac is used in paints and var- 
nishes and in making inks, gramophone records, 
jewelry settings, etc..^ The pulverized bodies of 
certain species furnish cochineal. 

The census of iQio reports 3,445,006 colonies of 
bees in the United States valued at $10,373,615. 
The value of the honey and wax produced was 
nearly $6,000,000. Bees also aid in the cross-pol- 

■^ Howard — U. S. Dept. Agri., Yearbook 189.7, P- 529. 

8 Herrick — Cornell Countryman, 1910. Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 28. 

9 Comstock— U. S. Ent., Report for 1880. 



USEFUL INSECTS 5 

Hnation of flowers. Bumblebees perform a nota1)lc 
service in cross-polHnatino- clover/*^ 

The Blastophaga, a minute wasp-like insect, 
cross-pollinates the cultivated and wild fig, thus 
making- possible the production of the Smyrna fig 
in California/^ 

PREDACEOUS INSECTS 

Many species of insects catch and devour other 
species for food. These are known as predaceous 
insects and they are of immense value in aiding 
man in the fight against his insect foes.^" 

The ladybird beetles are probably the most impor- 
tant. There are several species, the two-spotted 
ladybird (Adalia hipunctata), the twice stabbed 
ladybird (Chilocorus hivulncrus), the convergent 
ladybird {Hippodamia convergciis), and other spe- 
cies. 

Many larv?e of a family of flies, the Syrphidce, 
perform great benefit in destroying plant lice. 

The ground-beetles (Carabidcc) are exceedingly 
beneficial in destroying insects that are found upon 
or in the soil. 

Other beetles, flies, wasps, and certain bugs, con- 
tribute to the good work. 

PARASITIC INSECTS 

There are many insects that live upon or within 
the eggs or bodies of other insects and derive the 
nourishment necessary for their growth from their 
living hosts. These are called parasitic insects and 
are among the best natural checks of insect pests. ^^ 

10 Waldron— Report of North Dakota Sub-Expt. Sta., at Dickin- 
son, 1908. 

11 Howard — U. S. Dept. Agri.. Yearbook 1900, p. 79. 

12 Smith — Insect Friends and Foes. 

.13 Webster — U. S. Dept. Agri., Yearbook for 1907, p. 237. 



6 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

One of the interesting and effective groups of 
parasitic insects is the tachinid flies (Family — 
Tachinidcu). 

Probably the greatest number of parasites is 
found in the order Hymcnoptcra. For example, 
the ichneumon-flies, braconid-flies, chalcis-flies and 
the proctotrypid-flies. 

ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE 

No one volume could contain descriptions of a).- 
insects. 

Fifty thousand or more described species from 
N. A. 

Descriptions and life histories would fill 150 
volumes. 

OUR MAIN SOURCES OF INFORMATION 

1. Bulletins of the dift'erent state experiment 
stations throughout the United States. 

2. Bulletins of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology, 
Washington, D. C. 

3. Farmers' Bulletins of the U. S. Dept. Agri- 
culture, Washington, D. C. 

4. Yearbooks of the U. S. Department of Agri- 
culture, Washington, D. C. 

5. In New York State the bulletins of the State 
Entomologist, Education Building, Albany, N. Y. ; 
the bulletins of the State Experiment Station, Ge- 
neva, N. Y. ; and the bulletins of the Cornell Uni- 
versity Experiment Station are available sources of 
information. 

SOME BOOKS 

Manual of Fruit Insects, by M. V. Slingerland 
and C. R. Crosby, Macmillan Co. 



ENTO^IOLOGTCAL LITERATURE 7 

Insect Pests of Farm, Garden and Orchard, by 
E. D. Sanderson, John Wiley & Sons. 

Insects injurious to Vegetables, by F, II. Chitten- 
den, Orange Judd Co. 

Manual of Vegetable Insects, by C. R. Crosby 
and M. D. Leonard, Macmillan Co. 

Insects and Insecticides, bv C. M. Weed, Orange 
Judd Co. 

Economic Entomology, by J. B. Smith, J. B. Lip- 
pincott Co. 

Insects Injurious to the Household and Annoy- 
ing to Man, by Glenn W. Herrick, Macmillan Co. 

Manual for the Study of Insects, by J. H. Com- 
stock, Comstock Pub. Co. 

NUMBER OF INSECTS 

Over 350,000 now known and described. Esti- 
mated to be from two to ten millions. Over 50,000 
from North America. Several thousand are being- 
described each year. 

GROUPS CONTAINING THE PRINCIPAL IN- 
JURIOUS INSECTS 

1. Ortlioptcra — Crickets, grasshoppers, cock- 
roaches, et al. 

2. Hani pf era — aphids, scale insects, chinch bugs, 
et al. 

3. Lcpidoptcra^ — butterflies and moths. 

4. Dipfcra — flies. 

5. Colcoptcra — beetles. 

6. Hymcnoptcra — sawflies, bees, ants, wasps, 
et al. 

Ao-ain, all of the injurious insects may be gath- 
ered into two great groups, dependent upon the 
structure of their mouthparts. These are the suck- 
ing and hifincj insects. 



g INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

a. Sucking" insects 

These are represented by the aphids, bugs, and 
flies. The mouthparts are formed for piercing the 
plant and sucking out the juices. 

b. Biting insects 

These may be represented by the grasshoppers 
and beetles. The mouthparts are formed for biting 
ofl^ bits of the plants and chewing them. 

METHODS OF CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS 

Ideas and practices of ancient times and peoples. 
Modern ideas and practices are based on two 
main methods : natural and artificial. 

Natural methods 

Hand-picking — tomato worms, tobacco worms, 
squash bugs. 

Cutting out by hand — peach-tree borer, apple-tree 
borers. 

Covering plants to protect them — cucumber 
beetles. 

Hopper-dozers — for grasshoppers and leafhop- 
pers. 

Burlap and cotton bands — for canker-w^orms and 
codling moth. 

Sticky bands — for canker-worms and gypsy 
moth. 

Sticky shields — for leafhoppers. 

Barrier method — for chinch bug and army 
worms. 

Collecting eggs — gypsy moth and tent caterpil- 
lars. 

Collecting larvse — brown-tail moth. 

Burning branches and trees — for shot-hole borer, 
bronze birch borer, twig girdler, raspberry cane- 
girdler, et al. 



NATURAL METHODS OF CONTROL 9 

Cleaning np ru1)1)ish and weeds — for cabbage in- 
sects, cotton-boll weevil, plum curculio, et al. 

Burning straw, leaves, and grass — for Hessian 
fly and chinch bugs. 

Planting early — for cotton-boll weevil. 

Planting late — for corn root-worm and Hessian 
fly and pea weevil. 

Plowing in fall — for wire worms and for white 
grubs. 

Rotating crops — for white grubs, for corn bill- 
bugs, and for many pests. 

Resistant varieties of plants — Kieffer pear, 
American grape stocks. Northern Spy root-stocks. 

Use of commercial fertilizers — very little if of 
any use directly. Of use in accelerating growth to 
hasten maturity and to make strong resistant plants. 
Phosphoric acid and cotton. 

Refraining from planting badly infested crops 
for two or three years — chinch bugs and wheat, 
boll-weevil and cotton. 

Isolating fields — For cotton-boll weevil, et al. 

Mowing crops early — clover seed insects. 

Protecting birds — Birds should be protected 
and encouraged to make their homes on the farm 
and about the orchards. They help to hold the 
balance of nature and certainly aid greatly in hold- 
ing insects in check. 

One hawk after a chicken condemns the whole 
bird tribe ; the great horned owl is a friend of man 
wherever mice and rabbits abound, but where these 
are scarce, as in thickly populated districts the owl 
is driven to other food; the sharp-shinned and 
cooper's hawk are enemies to wild birds and chick- 
ens and should be killed; other hawks and owls 
feed mostly on mice and insects; many species of 
birds are known to live almost wholly upon insects. 

Insects constitute 65 % of the annual food supply 



10 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

of the downy woodpecker, a very large percent of 
the food of warblers, 95% of the food of the house 
wren, and 96% of the food of the flycatchers. 
Three hundred to five hundred insects have been 
found in the stomach of one bird. 

The mobility of birds makes them very efficient. 
Forbes showed that in orchards where canker- 
w^orms were abundant birds became abnormally 
plentiful. 

Flycatchers and swallows live upon flying insects, 
while robins and meadowlarks catch gTOund insects. 
Cuckoos, orioles, warblers, and vireos devour leaf- 
eating insects while nuthatches, titmice, and creep- 
ers explore trunks of trees for small insects. 

References on the zvork of birds: 

Henshaw^ — U. S. Dept. Agri., yearbook 1907, p. 

165. 

Beal — U. S. Dept. Agri., yearbook 1908, p. 343. 

Sanderson — New Hamp. Expt. Sta., 19th and 
20th Rpts., 1908, p. 398. 

Forbush — Useful Birds and their Protection. 

Introduction of predaceous insects — Preda- 
ceous insects, especially ladybird beetles and cer- 
tain ground beetles are sometimes introduced into 
a locality to prey upon injurious insects. For ex- 
ample, the Australian ladybird {Novius cardinaUs), 
the ground beetle (Calosoma sycophant a), and the 
convergent ladybird (Hippodaniia convergens). 

Introduction of parasitic insects — Parasitic 
insects are introduced into one country from an- 
other to help in the fight against insect pests. For 
example, the many parasites introduced from Eu- 
rope to prey upon the gypsy and brown-tail moths. 

Artificial methods 

Artificial methods consist mainly in the use of 
insecticides. 



POISON INSECTICIDES n 

The kind of insecticide used will depend npon the 
kind of mouthparts the pest has, whether biting or 
sucking. 

It will also depend somewhat upon the life his- 
tory and habits of the pest. 

There are tzvo main kinds of insecticides. — (a) 
Poisons for biting insects; (b) contact substances 
for sucking insects. Gases are also used for both 
biting and sucking insects. 

POISONS FOR BITING INSECTS 

Several forms of arsenical poisons are used for 
killing insects that eat the foliage of plants. Ar- 
senate of lead, however, is more universally used 
in orchard work than any of the others. The fol- 
lowing are some of the poisons employed : 

1. White arsenic. 

2. Paris green. 

3. Arsenate of lead. 

4. Arsenate of calcium. 

5. Arsenite of zinc. 

6. Arsenite of lime. 

7. Arsenite of copper. 

8. London purple. 

9. Paragrene. 
10. Hellebore. 

Arsenic 

White arsenic (AS2O;;) is a white heavy powder 
and the cheapest form of a poison insecticide. Un- 
fortunately, it is soluble in water and therefore will 
burn foliage. It can be used in combination with 
lime or Bordeaux mixture, however, if the proper 
precautions are taken. 

In the following formulas the arsenic is com- 
bined with lime and the material is known as arsen- 
ite of lime. 



INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 



Taft formula ^* 



Kedzie formula ^' 



Common formula ^'^ 



1 lb. white arsenic 

2 lbs. quick lime 
2 gals, water 
Boil together for 40 min. and dilute 

to 300 gallons with water. 
I lb. white arsenic 
4 lbs. crystals sal soda 
I gal. water 
Boil together until dissolved — about 

15 or 20 min. Use i pint to 50 

gals, water with 2 or 3 lbs. quick 

lime added. 
I lb. white arsenic 
I lb. sal soda 
I gal. water 
^ 2 lb. quick lime 

Dissolve the white arsenic and sal soda in the 
water by boiling all together in an iron vessel for 
about 15 or 20 minutes. Use this sohition while 
hot to slake the lime. Add enough water to make 
2 gallons. Use 2 quarts of this to 50 gallons of 
water. 

Another method of making arsenite of lime is to 
boil I pound of white arsenic and 4 pounds of quick 
lime in 4 gallons of water for half an hour and 
then dilute to 200 gallons of w^ater. The arsenic 
may not all combine with the lime thus causing 
burning. These combinations of arsenic and lime 
have not given satisfaction when used with lime- 
sulphur.^"^ 

Paris green 

First used against Colorado potato beetle about 
1868; 2000 to 3000 toiis used every year; it is com- 

w Woodworth and Colby— Calif. Expt. Stat., Bull. 126, p. 23. 
i^j Quaintance — U. S. Dept. Agri., Yearbook igo8, p. 275. 
I'' Slingerland, Herrick, Crosby — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 
283, p. 476. 

17 Scott— U. S. Bu. Pit. Ind., Circ. 54, p. 14. 



POISON INSECTICIDES 13 

posed of white arsenic/^ copper oxide, and acetic 
acid. When pure it consists of 58.65% arsenious 
oxide, 31.29% copper oxide, 10.06% acetic acid. 
Not over 3}4% should be soluble. 

Paris green ^^ is a coarse powder and not easily 
held in suspension; it cannot be used on conifers; 
cannot be used with fungicides containing am- 
monia ; cannot be combined with lime-sulphur with 
safety ; does not adhere well to foliage. At least i 
pound of freshly slaked lime should be mixed with 
every pound of paris green to take up the soluble 
arsenic and prevent burning of the foliage or it 
should be combined with Bordeaux mixture. 

STANDARD FORMULAS 

Paris green 4 oz. Paris green i lb. 

Quick lime i lb. Quick lime. . 2 lbs. 

Water 50 gals. Water 200 gals. 

Stewart recommends i pound of paris green per 
acre of potatoes whether 50 gallons or 100 gallons 
of Bordeaux are applied. If the poison is used in 
water alone then i or 2 pounds of quick lime should 
be slaked and added. 

Impurities and tests for ~^ — Paris green can 
be tested in three simple ways for impurities: i. 
Ammonia test. Paris green dissolves wholly in 
ammonia leaving no residue; 2. Glass slide test. 
Pure paris green jarred on a slide leaves a bright 
green streak. If impure the streak is whitish or 
pale green; 3. Microscopic test. Under the micro- 
scope the grains of paris green appear like clean 
round balls. The crystals of the impurities will 
appear angular, irregular and whitish. 

18 Lodeman — Spraying of Plants, pp. 59-/4- 

19 Smith— New Jersey Expt. Stat., Bull. 213. 
20Woodworth & Colby— Calif. Expt. Stat., Bull. 126. 



14 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Arsenate of lead ^^ 

The paste form — Was first used in fighting in- 
sects in New England in 1S93. 

A compound -- of arsenic oxide and lead oxide ; 
remains in suspension better than paris green; is 
white in color and leaves a mark on foliage; will 
not ordinarily burn foliage; sticks to plant tena- 
ciously; several applications may injure peach foli- 
age. 

The commercial brands vary from 12% to over 
20% of arsenic oxide "^ — the average being about 
15%. They usually contain less than 1% soluble 
or free arsenic. 

Chemically, arsenate of lead may be (i) of 
the lead hydrogen, or acid, or plumbic form 
PbHAsO^ or (2) of the basic, neutral, or triplum- 
bic form, Pb3(As04)2. Usually the commercial 
brands are a mixture of these two forms although 
the acid lead often predominates. The acid lead, 
when mixed with lime-sulphur for a summer spray, 
tends to pass through a chemical reaction and form 
soluble arsenic which is likely to cause burning of 
the foliage. At the same time the sulphur con- 
tent of the solution is decreased and its fungicidal 
value lessened. On the other hand the basic, or 
neutral lead when combined with lime-sulphur does 
not have a tendency to form soluble arsenic and it 
is therefore safer on foliage although not quite so 
rapid in its effect as a poison. The addition of lime 
will largely prevent the acid lead from reacting. ^^ 

Injury to foliage by arsenate of lead — The 
water in which the arsenate of lead is suspended 
seems to have some determining effect upon the in- 

21 Burgess and Rogers — U. S. Bu. Ent.. Bull. 87, p. 17. - 

22 Smith— New Jersey Expt. Stat., Bull. 2x3, p. 11. 

23 Haywood and McDonnell— U. S. Bu. Chem., Bull. 13T. 

24 Robinson— Jr. Ec. Ent., Vol. 12, p. 429. 



POISON INSECTICIDES 15 

jury caused."'' Distilled water with salt added 
causes decided injury to foliage; distilled watp^" 
with sodium carbonate added causes decided in- 
jury; distilled water alone almost no injury; dis- 
tilled water with lime added almost no injury. 
Clear sunny weather following application seems 
favorable to injury; dew followed by sunshine 
seems favorable to injury. 

Soap is sometimes used as a sticker for arsenate 
of lead and as an agent to hold it in suspension."'' 

Drying and freezing of the paste and efifect on 
its powers of suspension and adherence to foliage. 

The powdered form -^ — It is a fine, white, 
amorphous powder, the commercial brands of 
which seem to be largely composed of the biplumbic 
form. It was first used in fighting the Mexican 
cotton-boll weevil. The commercial brands are 
high in arsenic oxid containing generally about 
30%. Experiments have shown that it is equal in 
eifectiveness to the paste form wdien combined with 
a suitable carrier. Experiments have also shown 
that when tested on glass slips some brands do not 
adhere quite as well as the paste form. It can be 
used in combination with liquid lime-sulphur or with 
Bordeaux mixture or alone in water or it can be 
used as a dust alone or combined with dry sulphur. 

Arsenate of calcium 

Arsenate of calcium "^ is cheaper than the lead 
form of arsenates and is apparently effective in 
poisoning power, although perhaps not quite equal 
to the hydrogen lead arsenate. In general the two 
forms ( I ) calcium hydrogen arsenate CaH AsOj 

25 Haywood and McDonnell— U. S. Bu. Chem., Bull. 131. 
2G Cooley— Montana Expt. Stat., Bull. 86. 
2" Hinds— Jr. Ec. Ent., Vol. 6, p. 477- 

28 Lovett and Robinson— U. S. Dept. Agr., Jr. Agr. Res., Vol. X, 
p. 199. 



i6 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

and (2) tricalcium arsenate Can(As04)2 are the 
forms that have been used. The latter appears to 
be more stable and less liable to form soluble arsenic 
and is therefore safer to use as a spraying material. 
The calcium hydrogen arsenate when combined 
with lime-sulphur for summer spraying is likely to 
give severe l^urning depending somewhat on 
weather conditions. The commercial mixtures ap- 
pear to be a combination of the calcium hydrogen 
arsenate and the tricalcium arsenate. When com- 
posed of pure tricalcium arsenate less injury may 
be expected. Calcium arsenates are high in arsenic 
content and when manufactured properly may 
prove to be of much use in spraying operations. 
At present they are in the experimental stage. 

Arsenite of zinc ■ 

Arsenite of zinc "^ is a white powder and high in 
arsenic content containing about 40% of arsenious 
oxide. It has been used w^ith success apparently in 
the Pajaro Valley, Calif., on the foliage of apple, 
potato and bean. In the East it has proven danger- 
ous on apple foliage when used alone or with lime- 
sulphur. In combination with Bordeaux mixture 
it appears to cause no injury to apple foliage. It 
is of use in spraying potatoes because of its high 
toxic quality. 

*'Slug-siiot" 

This appears to be mostly composed of gypsum 
and not of much value as an insecticide. ^° 

Bug death 

Is another trade insecticide of little value for it is 
largely composed of zinc and iron oxids."''^ 

29 Schoene— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Tech. Bull. 28. 

30 Van Slyke— N. Y. State Expt. Stat.. Bull. 165. 

31 Smith— New Jersey Expt. Stat., Bull. 214, p. 14. 



poison insecticides 17 

Black death 
It is composed mostly of gypsum. ^^ 

London purple ^^ 

It is a waste product in the manufacture of ani- 
line dyes ; contains a large percent of soluble arsenic 
and must have lime added in liberal amounts to pre- 
vent burning. It is not used to any extent. 

Hellebore ^^ 

The term "hellel)ore" is said to be correctly ap- 
plied only to HcUcbonis nigcr which grows in Eu- 
rope and is not now imported commercially. 

It is a whitish poisonous powder obtained from 
pulverizing the roots of the hellebore plants Vera- 
fntm album and Vcratrum viride. The powder of 
the former is largely imported while that of the 
latter is an American product. Both seem equally 
valuable as insecticides. It is apt to lose its 
strength quickly and often difficult to obtain fresh. 
Can be applied to ripening fruit without fear of 
poisoning, because its strength is so rapidly lost in 
open air. It is valuable for the currant worm and 
is usually applied dry either pure or mixed with 
flour or lime at the rate of i to 3; may be applied 
wet by steeping i ounce in a quart of water and 
adding another quart of cold water. 

Poison baits 

A mixture of fruit juice, bran, and paris green 
or white arsenic for cutworms, grasshoppers, and 
army worms has proven very efficient. A recom- 

32 Van Slyke— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 165. 

33 ^Nlarlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 127, p. 8. 

3* Cook, Hutchison and Scales — U. S. Bu, Eni, Bull. 245, p. 17. 



i8 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

mended formula ^^ for cutworms is as follows : 2 
pounds of paris green, 50 pounds of wheat bran 
and six finely chopped oranges or lemons. Bring 
this mixture to a stifif dough by adding cheap mo- 
lasses and distribute over the field in small lumps 
and near each plant. 

The formula ^^ used so successfully in Kansas 
for poisoning grasshoppers is as follows : i pound 
of paris green, 20 pounds of wheat bran, 2 quarts 
of syrup, the juice and pulp of 3 oranges or lemons, 
and 3J/5 gals, water. The bran and paris green 
are thoroughly mixed while dry. The juice of the 
oranges is squeezed into the water after wdiich the 
pulp and skin are chopped fine and added to the 
water. The syrup is then poured into the water 
and this liquid mixture of fruit juice, syrup and 
water is used to thoroughly dampen the bran and 
paris green. The bait is sown broadcast in the in- 
fested fields in the early morning. 

In Canada a mixture of shorts, 50 pounds; mo- 
lasses, I gallon; paris green, i pound; and water, 
1^-2 gallons has been effective.'"'^ The shorts do not 
dry out as rapidly as bran. For cutworms that 
feed below the surface the bait should be harrowed 
into the soil. 

Freshly cut clover dipped in a strong arsenical 
solution is effective for cutworms. Renew as often 
as it dries. 

Slices of potatoes dusted with an arsenical dis- 
tributed about beds in a greenhouse are efifective 
against sowbugs. 

CONTACT SUBSTANCES FOR SUCKING INSECTS 

I. Pyrethrum. 

35 Walton and Davis— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 739. 

36 Dean— Jr. Ec. Ent., Vol. 7. P- 67. 

37 Strickland— Canad. Dept. Agr., Ent. Br., Circ. 6, igv6. 



CONTACT INSECTICIDES 19 



2. 

3- 
4- 

5. 
6. 


Tobacco. 

Soaps. 

Oils. 

Lime-sulphur. 

Carbolic-acid emulsion. 




Pyretiirum 



Commonly called Persian Insect Powder,^'' Dal- 
matian powder, and Buhach; formerly imported 
under -two first names; now manufactured in 
California under name Buhach. It is a powder 
made from the pulverized flower heads of Chrysan- 
themum cineraria: folium; contains a volatile oil and 
kills by contact; harmless to human beings and to 
plants. It is expensive and soon loses its efifec- 
tiveness when exposed to the air. Buhach is 
most apt to be fresh. It is used chiefly in green- 
houses and in the household where it is usually 
sifted dry on the plants or in the rooms. It may be 
applied wet by steeping i ounce in a quart of boiling- 
water for 5 or 10 minutes to which 3 quarts of cold 
water should be added. 

Tobacco 

The insecticidal power of tobacco is due to the 
nicotine it contains. Is often used as a dust ^^ 
against plant and animal lice and against ticks. It 
is said to be useful in controlling the woolly aphis 
on the roots of apple trees and also acts as a good 
fertilizer. It is a waste product of tobacco fac- 
tories and costs about i cent per pound. 

Tobacco stems or leaves may be cooked or 
steeped in water to remove the nicotine and form a 

38 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 127, p. 16. 
Coquillet — U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 12, o. s. 

39 Smith— N. J. Expt. Stat., Bull. 213, p. 28. 



20 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

decoction. Unfortunately, the nicotine content of 
tobacco varies with the variety, soil, method of cur- 
ing and other factors '^^ and it is therefore impos- 
sil)le, without chemical analysis, to make a standard 
decoction. In general, i pound of stems in a gallon 
of water brought to the boiling point and when 
drained off enough water added to make a full gal- 
lon will give a decoction of sufficient strength to 
kill plant lice. It is best to rely on commercial ex- 
tracts whose nicotine contents are known. 

Commercial tobacco extracts— Extracts of 
tobacco are now manufactured commercially and 
are known as nicotine sulphate. Nicotine sulphate 
appears to kill insects b}' its vapor. ^^ The most fa- 
miliar brand is known as black-leaf-40. In this 
brand the nicotine is combined with an acid and 
hence is not easily volatile. It contains 40% nico- 
tine and is readily miscible with water. It is usually 
used at the rate of i gallon to 800 or 1000 gallons 
of water. It can be combined with lime-sulphur, 
and arsenate of lead or with Bordeaux mixture.'*^ 
When the nicotine sulphate is used alone, soap is 
usually added at the rate of 4 or 5 pounds to 100 
gallons of water to increase its spreading power and 
to liberate the nicotine."*^ A precipitate is some- 
times formed when nicotine sulphate is added to 
other mixtures especially when in a concentrated 
form. 

Soaps ''^ 

Ordinary laundry soap, i pound to 5 or 6 gallons 
of water is a good insecticide for the garden, lawn, 

40 Ellet and Grissom— Vir. Expt. Stat., Bull. 208. 

41 Mclndoo— U. S. Dept. Agr., Jr. Agr. Res., Vol. VII, p. 89. 

42 Headlee — New Jersey Expt. Stat., Rept. Ent. for igi4, p. 356. 

43 Moore and Graham— U. S. Dept. Agr., Jr. Agr. Res., Vol. X, 
p. 47. 

44 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Far s' Bull. 127, p. 15. 



CONTACT INSECTICIDES 21 

and household plants. Soft soap should be used 
twice as strong-. 

Whale-oil soap is more commonly used. One 
should always procure a potash soap. It costs 3 
to 6 cents per pound. Use i pound to 5 or 6 gal- 
lons of water for summer application. In winter, 
for scale, use 2 pounds to i gallon. Whale-oil soaps 
vary greatly in their water content and are liable 
to contain free potash thus causing burning. Fish- 
oil soap can be made easily and cheaply at home. 
The composition may be known and the free potash 
avoided. 

Formula for home-made fish-oil soap : ^^ 

Caustic soda 6 lbs. or i^^ lbs. 

Water i^ gals. or i^ qts. 

Fish-oil 22 lbs. 5^/2 lbs. 

Dissolve the caustic soda in the water. After 
the soda is dissolved, add the fish-oil gradually, in 
the meantime stirring the mixture thoroughly and 
vigorously. Complete and thorough stirring while 
the oil is being slowly poured into the water and 
soda is absolutely necessary. Use i poimd to 6 or 7 
gallons of water. 

Fish-oil may be purchased of N. B. Cook Oil Co., 
New York. 

Oils 

Mineral oils are much used for contact insecti- 
cides, usually in some form of an emulsion that is 
miscible with water. They are particularly val- 
uable against aphids, and scale insects. 

Kerosene emulsion ^^ — Kerosene may be emul- 
sified with milk or soap, the latter being now most 
universally used. 

Formula for kerosene emulsion : 

*5 Van Slyke & Urner— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 257. 



22 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Soap I lb. Soap , ^, lb. 

Soft water 2 gals, or Water i gal. 

Oil . ./ 4 gals. Oil , 2 gals. 

The soap is shaved fine and heated in the water 
until dissolved. The oil is poured in and while the 
mixture is hot it is briskly agitated until a white 
creamy mixture is formed. The following dilu- 
tions apply to first formula : 

To make a 10% solution for summer spraying add 34 
gals, water. 

To make a 20% solution for dormant spraying add 14 
gals, water. 

To make a 25% solution for dormant spraying add 10 
gals, water. 

Crude Petroleum emulsion — It is made ex- 
actly as the kerosene emulsion. The grade of oil 
used is called "insecticide oil." It should have an 
amber color and its specific gravity should run from 
43 to 45 degrees Baume. A 20 to 25 percent solu- 
tion is valuable as a winter spray. 

Oil IN MECHANICAL EMULSION WITH WATER ^^ 

It has always been tedious to make oil emulsions 
and to obviate the labor, pumps were designed to 
mix the oil mechanically with water. These pumps 
were supposed to throw any per cent of oil in water 
desired, by the regulation of a valve. The pumps 
proved unreliable and severe injuries often resulted 
from using them. They are not now in use. 

MisciBLE OILS ^^ — These are proprietary mix- 
tures containing mineral oils in combination with a 
small quantity of vegetable oil and some alkali to 
make them miscible with water. They are designed 
especially for the control of scale insects. They 
mix readily with water. There are several prom- 

46, 4" Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 127, p. 20. 
48 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 127, p. 23. 



CONTACT INSECTICIDES 23 

incnt brands: "Scalecide," "Kil-O-Scale," "Tar- 
get-Brand," and "Orchard Brand." 

Home-made miscibleoils ^" — Prof. C. L. Penny 
has developed methods of preparing miscible oil at 
home. There are two steps in making a miscible 
oil : ( I ) preparing the emulsifier or soap solu- 
tion, (2) mixing the mineral and vegetable oils 
with the emulsifier to produce the final product, 
miscible oil. The process is rather long and la- 
borious. 

Carbolic acid emulsion 

This emulsion is formed by dissolving i pound of 
hard soap in i gallon of hot water. After the soap 
is dissolved, add i pint of crude carbolic acid. 
Then agitate the mixture until an emulsion is 
formed. For use, dilute with 30 parts of water. 



Lime-sulphur ^^ 

It is probably the best and most universally used 
insecticide for scale insects. It is also practically 
a specific for blister-mite and of great use in con- 
trolling the pear psylla, certain fungous diseases, 
etc. It was used originally as a sheep dip but was 
first tried as an insecticide in California in 1886. 
It was not tried in the East until 1894 when its use 
did not seem to prove successful. Nothing more 
was done with the lime-sulphur wash in the East 
until 1900 when it was tried again and gave prom- 
ising results. The first formulae included salt. 
Later formulae dififered somewhat in proportions, 
but the following is a representative one: Quick- 
lime, 20 pounds; sulphur, 15 pounds; w^ater, 50 gal- 
lons. 

4» Penny— Ann. Rpt. Penn. State Coll., 1907-08, p. 228. 

Phillips— Va. Expt. Stat., Bull. 179. 
■'0 Quaintance — U. S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook 1906, p. 429. 



24 



INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 



Place lime in iron kettle and slake it with hot 
water. Add sulphur and more water and boil for 
one hour. Dilute to 50 gallons, strain, and use 
while hot if possible. 

Concentrated commercial solutions ^^ — 
Within the past few years commercial concentrated 
lime-sulphur solutions have been introduced into 
this state and have been used by many fruit grow- 
ers in combating certain insect pests and fungous 
diseases. In order to use one of these mixtures 
intelligently and effectively it becomes necessary 
to know its strength or, in other words, its degree 
of concentration. This is best found by using an 
instrument known as a Baume hydrometer. In 
testing a lime-sulphur solution, simply pour some of 
the clear reddish liquid into any deep receptacle, 
deeper than the hydrometer is long, and when nearly 
full, gently drop the instrument into the solution 
and wait until it conies to rest. Then read on the 
hydrometer the degree of concentration, which will 



Reading of 










hydrometer or 


Amount 


of water to 


one gallon of the 


degree of 




lime-sulphur solution 




concentration 










Degrees Baume 


For San J 


ose Scale 


For Blister-mite 




Gals. 


Gals. 


Gals. 


Gals. 




Lime-Sulphur 


Water 


Lime-Sulphur 


Water 


25 




5 




7 


26 




S% 




7/2 


27 




sYa 




8 


28 




6 




8/. 


29 




6V2 




9 


30 




6.}4 




9^/2 


31 




JYa 




10 


2,2 




7I4 




10^ 


2?, 




8 




II 


34 




8J4 




iiK' 


35 




834 




12 



SI Parrott & Schoene— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 320. 



CONTACT INSECTICIDES 25 

be the one just at the surface of the Hquid. When 
the degree of concentration of the liquid is known, 
the proper dihition may be obtained by referring 
to the table ''" on page 24. 

Home-made concentrated solution ^^ — The 
concentrated solution can be made at home with a 
fair degree of success. The lime used should con- 
tain not less than 90% calcium oxid and not over 
5% magnesium. The formula is as follows: 

f pure lime 36 lbs. 

Quick lime \ 95% CaO 38 lbs. 

• ~ [ 90% CaO 40 lbs. 

Sulphur flour or flowers of sulphur 80 lbs. 

Water 50 gals. 

Place lime in kettle and slake with 10 gallons of 
water. While lime is slaking add the sulphur 
which has been previously mixed with water into 
a paste. Stir thoroughly and when lime is entirely 
slaked add enough water to make about 60 gallons 
if the boiling is over an open fire. If the boiling is 
with live steam add enough water to make 50 gal- 
lons. Boil the mixture vigorously for one hour. 

When through, strain; store in tight containers. 
Usually lime-sulphur will not freeze down to 5° 
above ezro. 

For San Jose scale the diluted solution should 
test 4.5 degrees B. ; for the blister-mite about 3.5 B. ; 
and for summer use on foliage about i degree B. 

The concentrated solutions of lime-sulphur have 
shown themselves to be useful against San Jose 
scale in the summer even when diluted for use on 
foliage. ^^ 

The self boiled lime-sulphur — This has been 

^2 Van Slyke, Bosworth, and Hedges — N. Y. State Expt. Stat., 
Bull. 329. 

fi3 Parrott and Sclioene— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 330, 
=* Stewart — Ann. Rpt. Penn. State Coll. 1910-11, p. 268. 



26 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

found to be of use in checking San Jose scale ^^ in 
the summer. Place 8 pounds of quick lime in a 
barrel and start it slaking with a small amount of 
cold water. Work 8 pounds of sulphur through a 
sieve and add slowly to the slaking lime. Add 
enough cold water to slake the lime and stir con- 
stantly. As soon as slaking is completed (5 to 15 
min.) fill barrel with cold water (50 gallons). 
Peaches and plums can be sprayed in foliage with 
this and the scale checked if hit when young are 
hatching. 

Dry substitutes for liquid lime-sulphur — 
Several commercial dry preparations are on the 
market as substitutes for the liquid lime-sulphur. 
Such preparations as "spra sulphur," soluble sul- 
phur," "dry lime-sulphur" and "B. T. S." are among 
those offered. Some of these are sodium-sulphur 
compounds, some barium-sulphur compounds, and 
some lime-sulphur compounds. They vary widely 
in the amount of sulphur contained and are val- 
uable, other things being equal, according to the 
amount of sulphur each actually contains. The 
standard liquid lime-sulphur solution (33° Baume) 
at a dilution of i to 8 for scale contains 4.75 ounces 
of sulphur or 3.45% efficient sulphur per gallon. 
The summer dilution for scab at i to 40 contains 
1.04 ounces of sulphur or .775% efficient sulphur 
per gallon. When the dry compounds are used 
they should also contain an equivalent amount of 
efficient sulphur in order to control the scale or 
scab effectively. Manufacturers are apt to recom- 
mend their dry materials at too low dilutions to 
make them efficient. 

Moreover, arsenicals cannot be combined with 
safety with those dry compounds containing so- 
dium or potassium sulphides. 

55 Quaintance— U. S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook 1908, p. 277. 



FUMIGATING SUBSTANCES 27 

FUMIGATING SUBSTANCES 

Several substances are used to fumi^^ate mills, 
greenhouses and dwellings in order to destroy the 
insects that may be infesting such buildings. 

Carbon bisulphide ^^ — This liquid is used as a 
fumigant against stored grain insects especially and 
sometimes against root-feeding insects, aphids, 
white grubs, ants, etc. 

It is heavier than water; readily volatile; and 
when pure it has not an unpleasant odor. The gas 
from the liquid is heavier than air and is suffocat- 
ing. The gas is also inflammable and explosive. 

Use 2 pounds of the liquid ^^ to 1000 cubic feet 
of space when temperature is between 65 and 75 
degrees F. Granary must be tight. Peas, beans, 
seed corn, etc., can be stored in barrels and treated. 
.Under ordinary granary conditions, 15 to 20 
pounds to 1000 cu. ft. should be used. 

A cheap form of carbon bisulphide under the 
trade name "Fuma," is sold by Edward R. Taylor, 
Penn Yan, N. Y. 

Hydrocyanic acid gas — It is a very poisonous 
gas used against household insects, citrus pests, 
stored grain insects, and for the fumigation of 
nursery stock. 

Formula for household fumigation for 100 cubic 
feet space: 

Water 3 fluid ozs. 

Sulphuric acid i fluid oz. 

98% potassium cyanide. .■ i oz. 

vSodium cyanide has almost supplanted potassium 
cyanide for fumigation purposes and should be 
used according to the following formula for each 
100 cubic feet of space: 

56 Hinds— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 145. 

" Chittenden and others— U. S. Bu. Ent, Bull. 96, Part III. 



28 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Water , 2 fluid ozs. 

Sulphuric acid i >4, fluid ozs. 

Sodium cyanide i oz. 

For house fumigation ^^ all holes in rooms should 
be stopped and all cracks covered with strips of 
newspaper soaked in water. 

In fumigating trees tents are used.^'* In fumi- 
gating nursery stock for scale insects a special room 
is needed.^*^ 

Formaldehyde gas — This is primarily a germi- 
cide. It has been shown to be practically useless 
as an insecticide. , 

Tobacco papers — Paper soaked in tobacco ex- 
tract is sold for fumigation purposes in green- 
houses. These papers will burn when lighted and 
are much more convenient to use in houses than 
tobacco stems. 



HEAT 



61 



Within the last few years heat has been used 
to some extent in mills in the western part of the 
United States, at least, to kill mill insects. Ac- 
cording to Dean and Goodwin heat is a very effi- 
cient and satisfactory agent for destroying grain 
insects. The temperature necessary to kill stored 
grain insects ranges from 118° to 125° F. Felt 
has shown that cockroaches succumb to a tempera- 
ture of 120° F. It is necessary to maintain the 
heat for several hours to allow it to penetrate all 

58 Howard and Popenoe — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 163. 
Herrick — Can. Ent., Vol. 39, p. 341. 

59 Morrill— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 76. 
Woglum— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 79. 
Woglum— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 90, Parts I and II. 

•50 Britton — Conn. Expt. Stat., Bull, of Immediate Information 
No. 3- 
61 Goodwin — Ohio E.xpt. Stat., Bull. 234. 

Dean— Kan. Expt. Stat.. Bull. 189. 

Felt— 27th Kept. State Ent., N. Y. 



FUMIGATING SUBSTANCES 29 

of the infested parts of the building". There is no 
reason why heat could not be utilized to kill house- 
hold insects if a practicable way can be found of 
developing a temperature of 125° F. in a house. 

MISCELLANEOUS MEANS OF FIGHTING IN- 
SECTS 

Trap lanterns — Lights and lanterns have been 
recommended and used for many years to catch 
insects active at night. One called the Hazeltine 
lantern has been widely advertised. Several ex- 
periments have been made to demonstrate the use- 
fulness or uselessness of lanterns for catching in- 
sects. Perhaps the most extensive one was made 
at Cornell during 1892. From May 20th to Oct. 
1st 13,000 insects were caught; yy% were neutral, 
10 2-5% beneficial, 12 3-5% often pests; of the 
pests, 84 to 93% were males; of the beneficial, 80 to 
88% were females; nymphs and larvae were not 
caught; as many friends as foes were caught; not 
one codling moth taken.*'" 

In an all-summer experiment Dr. Riley never 
caught a codling moth : Prof. Stedman caught only 
2 with 4 lanterns running 100 nights. 

Gasoline torches — An ordinary plumber's ^^ 
torch or some modification of it has been proposed 
for killing insects, especially scale insects, on their 
food plants. Several trials by different experimen- 
ters on different insects indicate that these torches 
are hardly practicable. In most cases, the heat suf- 
ficient to kill the insects injured the plants. 

Tree tanglefoot — A sticky material manufac- 
tured by the O. W. Thum Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 
at about 30c per pound is the same or similar mate- 

°- Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 202. 
«^ Forbes— Illinois Expt. Stat., Bull. 8g. 



30 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

rial used in their tanglefoot fly paper. It is useful 
in putting- about the trunks of trees to catch canker- 
worm moths, caterpillars of the tussock moth, etc. 
Treeleim — A substance manufactured by the 
Vreeland Chemical Co., which is used for the same 
purpose as tanglefoot and is said not to "glass" over 
but to remain fresh and sticky a long time. 

SPRAYING 

History of spraying — The current worm be- 
came injurious about i860 and the Col. Pot. beetle 
about 1865. Hellebore and paris green were used 
for these two pests, and this suggested the use of 
the latter for other insects. Riley suggested its use 
on cotton in 1872; Le Baron suggested its use 
for the canker-worm in 1872. Cook advised spray- 
ing trees in 1876; E. P. Haynes, in 1878, sprayed 
trees for canker-worms and killed the codling moth. 
These were the beginnings. Our insect foes are 
increasing and we must spray. 

Some principles of spraying — Spray at the 
right time, before rains for most fungous diseases 
and after rains for insects alone. Watch the de- 
velopment of buds, blossoms, fruit and weather and 
spray accordingly and not by dates. Spray thor- 
oughly. Every leaf and fruit should be coated. 
Use a nozzle, in general, that gives a fine spray and 
use at least 75 pounds pressure, but better 150 
pounds. 

DUSTING 

Dust for control of insects and fungi may con- 
sist of lime, dry Bordeaux and some arsenical or it 
may consist of a mixture of sulphur and an arsen- 
ical. These dusts were introduced to lower the 
cost and labor of spraying. They do both "but the 
ultimate value of them rests on their efficiency. 



DUSTS 31 

Early experiments in diistinf^ trees were made 
with dry Bordeaux and an arsenical. In this mix- 
ture the copper was the essential fungicide. The 
following is a formula "^ (Scott's), for this dust: 

4 lbs. copper sulphate in 4 gals, water 
4 lbs. lime in 4 gals, water 
60 lbs. slaked lime dust 

Dissolve the sulphate in the 4 gallons water and 
slake the lime in the 4 gallons. When cool pour 
together and allow it to settle. Decant or pour off 
the liquid, put the wet mass in a strong bag and 
squeeze out the remaining water. Then spread out 
and allow to dry in the sun. Pulverize this dry ma- 
terial and pass it through a sieve with 80 meshes to 
the inch and then mix with the 60 pounds of slaked 
lime. For Bird's formula see Mo. Bull. 60 or Cor- 
nell Bull. 216. 

Comparative early experiments indicated that six 
applications of the dry material could be made as 
cheaply as four with liquid. The dust is more easily 
transported about an orchard, especially if the 
orchard is rough. It does not appear to have any 
other advantage, according to early experiments. 

The dust did not control fungous diseases as well 
as liquid Bordeaux. The dust proved irritating to 
workmen, getting into their lungs. 

Crandall ^^ says the "dust spray is absolutely in- 
effective as a preventive of injury from prevailing 
orchard fungi, and that it is considerably less effi- 
cient as an insect remedy than is the liquid method 
of applying arsenites." 

It must be remembered that these experiments 
were made with a Bordeaux dust. 

«* Scott— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 243, p. ir. 

Craig — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bulls. 216, 245. 

Close — Delaware Expt. Stat., Bulls. 72 and 76. 
65 Crandall— Illinois Expt. Stat., Bull. 106. 



32 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The first dusting experiments in which dry sul- 
phur was used to replace liquid lime-sulphur were 
made by Blodgett in 1911.'''*^ These experiments 
were continued during 191 2 and 1913. The results 
were encouraging and the work was continued dur- 
ing 1914 by Reddick and Crosby."'^ The materials 
recommended were finely ground sulphur 90 pounds, 
and powdered arsenate of lead 10 pounds, applying 
from i^ to 3 pounds of the mixture per tree at 
each dusting. Later recommendations advise 85 
parts of sulphur to 15 parts of pow^dered arsenate 
of lead.*''^ The results for the control of chewing 
insects and apple scab were encouraging and fur- 
ther experiments are now in progress. 

PUMPS 

Atomizers, hand sprinklers, buckets, knapsacks, 
barrel, power sprayers. The essentials of a good 
pump are brass or bronze working parts, ball valves, 
and readily accessible parts. 

NOZZLES 

1. The first nozzles threw a nearly round solid 
stream, like a garden hose. 

2. The second group of nozzles consisted of those 
in which the stream having passed the orifice 
proper is modified by some obstruction that breaks 
it or scatters it. The "climax," "Ball," and 
"Lewis" are examples. 

3. The third and most perfect type is known as 
the rotary or eddy-chamber nozzle. This is repre- 
sented, typically, by the Vermorel. Later modifica- 
tions are the "Friend" and "Mistry." The Vermo- 
rel is of American origin although bearing a French 

60 Blodgett— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 340. 

67 Reddick and Crosby— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 354. 

68 Reddick and Crosby — Cornell Univ. Extension, Bull. i. 



REGULATORY LAWS 33 

name. Within recent years so-called spray guns 
have come into use. 

ACCESSORIES 

Tower — A tower ten or twelve feet high is a ne- 
cessity for good work. It enables one to get above 
the tree and spray down, which is especially neces- 
sary in case of codling moth. The new Cornell 
tower has many advantages. 

Hose — There should be plenty of hose to enable 
one to get all around a tree. The hose should be of 
a quality to withstand 150 to 200 pounds pressure. 



BORDEAUX MIXTURE 



69 



This is a funo-icide with which arsenicals are 



'& 



often combined : 

Bordeaux mixture is made by mixing a dilute solution of 
copper sulfate (blue vitriol) with a dilute milk of lime. 
The mixture may be made of different strengths by using 
different amounts of the copper sulfate and lime to a given 
amount of water. A mixture made of 3 pounds of copper 
sulfate and 3 pounds of lime to 50 gallons of water is indi- 
cated by the formula 3-3-50 ; one made of 4 pounds of 
copper sulfate and 4 pounds of lime to 50 gallons of water, 
by 4-4-50; one made of 5 pounds of copper sulfate and 5 
pounds of lime to 50 gallons of water, by 5-5-50. 

QUARANTINE AND INSECTICIDE LAWS 

Nearly all of the States in the United States have 
passed laws '^'^ governing the shipments of plants 
and plant products into their territories. These 
are designed, of course, to prevent the introduction 
of injurious insects and plant diseases. California 
has in some instances instituted legal restrictions 
governing shipments of plants between counties 



69 Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 283, Rev. Ed., p. 466, 1915. 
"0 Burgess— U. S. Bu. Ent., Girc. 75. 



34 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

within the State. Similar restrictions have also 
been imposed in some of the Southern States to pre- 
vent the spread of the Mexican cotton-boll weevil 
from one district to another within the State. 
These laws of the different States are intended to 
meet local conditions and are not uniform which 
results in much confusion. 

The National Quarantine Law — For many 
years there was in this country an agitation for a 
uniform, national quarantine law to govern the im- 
portation of nursery stock into the United States 
and to regulate the shipment of such stock among 
the States themselves. As a result of this demand, 
Congress passed such a law,''^ which went into ef- 
fect the first day of October, 191 2. The law has 
two purposes : ( i ) to regulate the importation of 
nursery stock, other plants, and plant products from 
foreign countries into the United States to prevent 
the introduction of injurious insects and plant dis- 
eases; (2) to establish quarantines against any 
State, territory, or district of the United States or 
any portion thereof to prevent the distribution 
throughout the United States of any dangerous 
plant diseases or injurious insects. 

To carry out the provisions of the law, a Federal 
Horticultural Board consisting of five members was 
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture from 
certain Bureaus and offices in the Department of 
Agriculture. 

The National Insecticide Law — Various 
States have undertaken at different times to regu- 
late by law the composition of certain insecticides 
sold within their boundaries. Such laws have not 
been uniform and have been, on the whole, more or 
less unsatisfactory. Li 191 o Congress passed a 

71 An Act to regulate the importation of nursery stock, etc. Pub- 
lic Document — No. 275. 



REGULATORY LAWS 35 

national insecticide law that went into effect the 
first day of January, 191 1. Its object was to pre- 
vent the manufacture, sale, or transportation of 
adulterated or niisbranded paris greens, lead ar- 
senates, and other insecticides and fungicides. In 
this law it was decreed that paris g-reen shall not 
contain less than 50 per cent arsenious oxide nor 
more than 3^ per cent water-soluble arsenic and 
that lead arsenate shall not contain more than 50 
per cent water, nor less than 12^ per cent arsenic 
oxide (AS2O5) nor more than 75 per cent, water- 
soluble arsenic. It was also decreed that other in- 
secticides and fungicides should not fall below the 
proposed standard or quality under which they were 
sold. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ORCHARD TREES 
AND FRUITS 

APPLE PESTS 

The codling moth ^ (Carpocapsa pomonella) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual p. 241 

One of the oldest and most important pests on 
apples; estimated that it causes a yearly loss of 
$12,000,000 in the United States with an added 
$4,000,000 for cost of spraying trees to control it. 

Eggs laid on leaves and fruit about two weeks 
after petals fall; caterpillars emerge in about one 
week and 60 to 80% enter the young fruit through 
the calyx end; they live in the apple from 25 to 30 
days, or longer in many instances, and when full- 
grown leave the fruit through a hole made in the 
side of the apple ; they then crawl to a crevice in the 
bark of the large limbs or trunks or find a nook 
elsewhere and spin a cocoon ; here, some of the lar- 
vae change to pup?s and issue as moths the latter 
part of July to form a partial second brood in New 
York State ; a large part of the larvae, however, re- 
main under the bark until the following spring and 
then change to pupae from which, in about twenty 
days, the adult moths issue. All of the larvae of 
the second generation remain in cocoons under the 
bark until spring. 

Control — Spray at once after three-fourths of 
the petals have fallen, with 150 pounds pressure, 
using 2^ pounds of paste arsenate of lead to 50 

1 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 142. 
Quaintance — U. S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook 1907, p. 435. 

36 



APPLE INSECTS 37 

o-allons of water ; this is the most important spray- 
ing- and should be done thoroughly; spray from a 
tower into the calyx ends of the young- apples ; spray 
again in 3 or 4 weeks and cover fruit and foliage 
with a fine misty spray ; again the last week in July 
for second brood. 

The round-headed borer ^ (Sapcrda Candida) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual p. 573 

Next after the codling moth the worst pest on 
apples in the United States; eggs laid in June and 
later, in incisions made in the bark ; the eggs hatch 
in 2 or 3 weeks and tunnel in the sapwood ; they live 
mostly near the surface of the ground, but often be- 
low the earth, especially in young trees; at end of 
the second year the larvae are quite large and are 
now deeper in the heartwood; the third spring the 
larvse gnaw to the bark and there pupate; the adult 
beetles emerge in May and June, the insect having 
taken three years for its life history; in West Vir- 
ginia and in Arkansas the life cycle may be passed 
in two years ; the beetle is a handsome long-horned 
one, about an inch in length and has two conspicu- 
ous white lines the whole length of its body. 

Control — Give orchards clean culture; cut out 
borers with a sharp instrument like a chisel and 
then apply some wash, for instance, concentrated 
lime-sulphur, or an alkaline wash made by adding 
caustic potash to soap and water until a thick 
creamy mixture is formed; washes should be ap- 
plied up to the lower limbs. 

Flat-headed borer ^ (CJirysobotJiris fcniorafa) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual p. 549 

The second thoracic segment of the larva is wide, 

- Becker— Ark. Expt. Stat., Bull. 146. 
3 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 32. 



38 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

flat, and close to the head, hence the name ; the larva 
attacks many kinds of fruit-trees, forest and shade- 
trees, infesting- by preference those diseased or dy- 
ing; it inhabits all parts of the trunk from ground 
to branches; eggs are laid in cracks of bark; the 
larva lives just beneath the bark and burrows out 
broad, flat, irregular channels in the wood; as it 
grows it may go deeper into the wood ; it matures in 
one year and the beetles emerge in May and June; 
the adult beetle has short antennae, is of a dark 
metallic brown color, and about one-half inch long. 
Control — Same as for the round-headed borer. 

The bud-moth'* (Tincfoccra occllana) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 241 

A most important pest on the apple in New York. 
The tiny dark brown caterpillars appear early in 
the spring and begin to attack the bursting buds; 
they bore into the buds and when the leaves begin 
to unfold attack those also ; they continue to eat the 
leaves and tie them together, finally pupating with- 
in the tangled mass ; the moths appear in June and 
lay their small inconspicuous eggs on the leaves; 
these hatch in about 10 days and the tiny caterpil- 
lars feed on the surfaces of the leaves eating the 
epidermis and tissues away, leaving a network of 
veins; the caterpillar lives mostly in a tiny silken 
tube built along the midrib of the leaf ; in Septem- 
ber the caterpillars migrate from the leaves to the 
small branches where they build snug silken cases, 
called Jiibcniacula, in which to pass the winter; 
these hibernacula are built very often near the buds 
where the larvae will find food close at hand in the 
spring. There is only one brood a year. 

Control — Add arsenate of lead, 2]/ pounds to 
50 gallons, to the delayed dormant spray just as the 

4 Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 50. 



APPLE INSECTS 3g 

tips of the buds begin to show green; repeat just 
before blossoms open ; repeat again after petals fall 
which will also do for the first codling moth spray. 
Combination sprays containing- nicotine sulphate 
and lime-sulphur may be used. 

Cigar case-bearer^ (Coleophora flctchcrcUa) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The half-grown caterpillars migrate in August 
and September from the leaves to the branches, 
where they securely fasten their small curved cases 
preparatory to passing the winter; in the early 
spring the caterpillars in their cases become active, 
move to the buds and begin to attack them; later 
they attack the very young fruit but mostly mine 
in the leaves remaining all of the time in their 
cases ; about the middle of June they pupate and the 
moths appear in July; the very small moths lay 
their eggs on the leaves; these hatch in about 2 
weeks and the tiny caterpillars spend the remainder 
of the summer mining in the leaves. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 2^ 
pounds to 50 gallons of water just as the tips of the 
buds begin to show green ; again before the blossoms 
open ; and again after petals fall. This is the same 
as for the bud-moth. 

Pistol case-bearer*' {Coleophora malivorella) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Its case is shaped like a pistol and its life history 
is very similar to that of the cigar case-bearer ; the 
larva, however, does not mine in the leaves but eats 
the surfaces of them. 

Control — Same as for cigar case-bearer. 

s Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 93. 

6 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 124. , 



40 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The apple-grain apitid ^ (RliopalosipJiinii 

pnuiifoUac) 

Order — Hemiptera 

This aphid is a European insect and has been 
observed on more than twenty-two plants — apple, 
pear, quince, plum, rye, oats, wheat, et al. ; it is one 
of the early aphids appearing in the spring" on apple 
buds but usually leaves the apple without doing 
much harm; it is light green in color with a dark 
line down the middle of its back. 

Passes winter as dark eggs on branches; these 
hatch in spring; may be several generations on 
apple leaves ; the winged generation flies to grasses 
where many generations are produced during the 
summer; many live on wheat in fall; the winged 
females finally fly back to the apple tree in the fall 
and produce a generation of wingless egg-laying 
females which lay the winter eggs on the bark. 

Control — See green apple aphid. 

The rosy apple aphid ^ (Aphis sorhi-A. mali- 

foUac) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The rosy aphid is larger than the grain aphid and 
is usually of a rosy color although individuals may 
be tan, grey or blackish, while the body is covered 
with a whitish powder ; the body is noticeably glob- 
ular; this aphid is often very injurious. 

It winters as eggs upon the trunk and branches 
of the apple tree ; the eggs hatch in spring and prob- 
ably three and perhaps more (depending on lati- 
tude) generations are produced on the apple tree; 
in late June winged individuals begin to leave the 

7 Baker and Turner— U. S. Dept. Agr., Jr. Agr. Res., Vol. i8, 
p. 311. 

Davis— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 112. 

8 Quaintance— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 81. 
Matheson — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Memoir 34. 



APPLE INSECTS 41 

apple tree and go to the broad-leaved and narrow- 
leaved plantains where the summer is spent ; in the 
fall the return mig-rants come back to the a])ple 
where egg-laying females are produced and the 
eggs are laid, thus completing the cycle. 
Control — See the green apple aphid. 

The green apple aphid '^ (ApJiis pomi-Aphis 

mali) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The green apple aphid resembles the grain aphid 
but is darker green and lacks the dark line down 
the back ; it has not been recognized as seriously in- 
jurious in this country until of comparatively re- 
cent years; it is now considered the most injurious 
species; it winters as eggs on the trees and spends 
the whole year on the apple, not having alternate 
food-plants like the two preceding species; the 
aphids curl the leaves, stunt the new growth and 
often stunt and deform the apples. 

Control — The eggs of these aphids, although 
there is some individual variation, those of the 
grain aphid hatching earliest, hatch early in the 
spring, about the time the flower buds begin to swell 
and break and the leaves show green at the tips. 
The young aphids cluster on the outside of the buds 
where they are all exposed to contact with spray 
material. Then is the time to kill them. Later 
they get in between the leaves of the buds and in 
rolled leaves and cannot be hit easily or not at all. 

The safest and most efficient material with which 
to kill the aphids at this time is nicotine sulphate 
alone, % of a pint to 100 gallons of water with 5 
pounds of soap added, or combined with lime-sul- 

9 Parrott, Hodgkiss, and Lathrop — N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bulls. 
415 and 431. 

Hodgkiss— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Eujl. 461. 



42 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

phur solution at the same rate but without the soap. 
Arsenate of lead may be added if desired. 

In case of the green apple aphid especially it 
may be necessary to make later applications of the 
nicotine sulphate owing to repeated infestations in 
June and July. It has proven advantageous at this 
time to add rather large quantities of quick lime or 
hydrated lime ^^ to the nicotine sulphate and water, 
leaving out the soap. The mixture of nicotine sul- 
phate and lime seems to have a deterrent effect on 
the aphids in addition to its killing properties. 

The fall canker-worm (Alsophila pometaria) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 276 

Moths emerge in late fall and the wingless fe- 
males lay their eggs in clusters on bark; eggs rest 
over winter and hatch in early May; larvse which 
are loopers and have only 3 pairs of abdominal legs 
feed for a month and in June and July go into the 
ground to change to pup?e in dense cocoons, and re- 
main here until fall when the moths appear again ; 
one brood a year. 

The spring canker-worai ^^ (Paleacrita vernata) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 275 

Moths emerge in March and April and lay their 
eggs in small clusters in crevices of the bark ; cater- 
pillars which are loopers and have only 2 pairs of 
abdominal legs hatch in May and in June and July 
go into the ground where they remain as pupae 
until the next spring; ofte brood a year; the female 
is gray and wingless and bears two transverse rows 
of short spines on the dorsal side of each of the 
first seven segments of her abdomen; the spring 

10 Hodgkiss— N. Y. State Expt. S.tat., Bull. 461. 

11 Quaintance— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 68, Pt. II. 



APPLE INSECTS 43 

canker-worm is usuallv the conmion one in New 
York. 

Control — Caterpillars quite resistant to poisons, 
yet arsenate of lead, 6 to 10 pounds to 100 gallons 
of water will control them ; also bands of sticky 
material, like tar, tanglefoot or printers' ink to pre- 
vent the females from climbing trees to lay eggs; 
bands of fluffy cotton batting will serve; ap])ly in 
October for fall canker-worm and in early spring 
for spring canker-worm ; also plow and cultivate in 
August or September to destroy the pupre in the sc^il. 

The apple tent-caterpillar ^" (Malacosoma 

amcricana) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 360 

Passes winter as eggs laid in rings around 
branches; eggs hatch as buds begin to burst and 
larvae build tents in crotches of branches; in 4 to 6 
weeks the caterpillars become grown and make 
dense cocoons in secluded places; in about 2 weeks 
the moths appear and deposit eggs during last of 
June or first of July. 

Control — Collect and burn ^gg masses; school 
children are often enlisted in the work of collecting 
and destroying the ^gg masses; spray infested trees 
with arsenate of lead 2>^ pounds to 50 gallons of 
water just as the buds begin to open; repeat in a 
week if necessary; destroy wild cherry and seedling 
apple trees along the fence rows. Burn out with 
gasoline torch. Cut out tents and burn. 

The forest tent-caterpillar ^^ {Malacosoma 
dis stria) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 362 
Life history is similar to former species; larvae 
do not build tent, 

12 Quaintance— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 98. 

>3 Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 170. 



44 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Control — In addition to above, use the jarring 
method. 

White-marked tussock motii ^"^ (Hemerocampa 

leucostigma ) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 310 

La3^s eggs in July on cocoons and covers them 
with a white frothy substance; remain here all 
winter and hatch latter part of May; the cater- 
pillar has two long pencils of hairs just back of the 
head, a single similar tuft on the posterior end of 
the body, and four tufts of short white hairs on the 
back ; they feed on leaves and fruit for four weeks 
and then pupate in cocoons for 10 to 14 days; the 
adult wingless female deposits eggs on cocoons; 
male is winged. 

Apple, pear, quince, plum, elm, maple and other 
deciduous trees are attacked. 

Control — Collect Qgg clusters; spray with ar- 
senate of lead 3 pounds to 50 gallons; jar trees for 
caterpillars ; band trees for larvae. 

The apple maggot ^^ (RJiagoIctis pomoncUa) 
Order — Diptera 

The flies begin to emerge in the latter part of 
June and continue through July and August. 
Within 10 days to 2 weeks the females thrust their 
eggs just beneath the skin of the apple, causing a 
dimple at each insertion. The eggs hatch in 2 to 6 
days and the white maggots tunnel through the 
apple causing it to drop and decay. In about 30 
days in soft apples the maggots become grown and 
then go into the soil from i to 3 inches and pupate, 
where they usually remain until the next spring. 
There may, however, be a partial second brood in 

14 Schoene— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 312. 

15 Illingworth— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 324. 
Herrick— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 402. 



APPLE INSECTS 45 

some seasons, while on the other hand the pnparia 
may remain in the soil over another winter, thus 
making- a two-year life cycle. 

Control — Spray last days of June or first week 
of July with arsenate of lead, 5 pounds to 100 gal- 
lons of water, and repeat in two weeks. Clean cul- 
ture of orchards appears to aid in the fight. 

The ribbed cocoon maker ^^ {Bucculatrix 

pomifolicUa) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 253 

In the middle of September larvae creep to 
branches and make white, ribbed, winter cases and 
change to pup?e ; in May the moths appear and soon 
lay their eggs on under sides of leaves ; they hatch 
in a week or 10 days and mine into leaves ; they feed 
for 8 or 10 days and then emerge from the leaf and 
make a molting cocoon, molt again in 5 or 6 days, 
then feed again for a week and then spin true 
cocoons; moths appear in from i to 2 weeks and 
lay eggs for a second brood about the first week of 
August. 

Control — Spray in Alarch with lime-sulphur at 
scale strengths ; spray in June with arsenate of lead, 
25^ pounds to 50 gallons. 

Oyster-shell bark louse^' (LcpidosapJics iibiii) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This insect passes winter as whitish eggs under- 
neath the brown, elongated, oyster-shell like scales 
on the bark of the tree; eggs hatch in May and 
June and the young- soon settle and secrete their 
own scale; probably one generation a year in New 
York. 

Control — Spraying- with lime-sulphur at scale 

ic Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat, Bull. 214. 
1" Quaintance— U. S. Hu. Ent., Circ. 121. 



46 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

strengths (i to 8) for 3 or 4 successive seasons 
usually holds this pest in check. Spray for young 
as they hatch in May or June with nicotine sulphate, 
Ya, pint to 100 g-allons water with 4 pounds of soap 
added or with 10% kerosene emulsion. 

The woolly aphid ^^ (Eriosoiua lanigera) 
Order — Hemiptera. Manual, p. 162 

It is probably of American origin and became 
noticeable here about .1850; most serious on the 
apple; individuals occur on two different parts of 
the tree; (i) the branches, (2) the roots. The air- 
living individuals cause scars on limbs but are not 
considered to be seriously injurious; the root aphids 
are very injurious to young apple trees when pres- 
ent on the roots; they cause swellings on roots and 
the roots finally decay and trees die; both kinds of 
individuals secrete a white cottony secretion, hence 
the name, woolly aphid. This pest of the apple is 
more serious farther south than in New York. 

The woolly aphid has a complicated life history. 
Some of the winged forms on apple in autumn fly 
to elm trees w^iere the egg-laying females are pro- 
duced, each of which lays an eg^r in a crevice of the 
bark where it passes the winter and hatches in the 
spring. The aphids multiply on the elm and cause 
the leaves to cud. Finally some of the winged 
forms may fly back to the apple. In the meantime 
the aphid has maintained its foothold on the apple 
tree. 

Control — The trunk aphids may be controlled 
with kerosene emulsion 15%. The root aphids may 
be controlled with 15% kerosene emulsion. The 
earth should be removed about each tree to the 
depth of 3 or 4 inches over a circle with a diameter 
of 4 feet ; then soak the soil with the emulsion and 

IS Marlatt— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 20. 



APPLE INSECTS 47 

hoe dirt back; do this in late spring when tree is in 
leaf. 

Dark Redbug ^^ (Hcterocordylus rnaliniis) 

Light Redbug (Lygidca nicndax) 

Order — Hemiptera 

There are two species of redbui^s, the dark red- 
bug- and the lig-ht redbug-, that injure the fruit by 
puncturing it, wdiich causes it to fall off or become 
knotty; the life histories of both are quite similar; 
the eggs of both are laid during late June or early 
Julv in the bark of smaller branches. They hatch 
the next spring, those of the dark redbug soon after 
the leaves of the fruit buds open and those of the 
light redbug from 7 to lo days later. The nymphs 
pass through five stages and become mature in 
about one month. There is one generation a year. 

Control — Spray for the nymphs with nicotine 
sulphate, i pint to 100 gallons of water; the effi- 
ciency will be increased by adding 4 pounds of soap 
to every 100 gallons; spray just before blossoms 
open and after they fall, especially in case of the 
light redbug. The tobacco may be added to lime- 
sulphur and arsenate of lead. The calyx spray of 
arsenate of lead, lime-sulphur and nicotine has ap- 
parently, in some instances, controlled the light red- 
bug. 

Apple-seed ciialcls "° {Syntomaspis dniparum) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

The adult wasp-like fly punctures the fruit to 
deposit her eggs in the seed and this causes the fruit 
to become knotty ; the egg is deposited inside of an 
apple seed in June; it hatches and the grub feeds 
on the soft kernel until September; it then hiber- 

19 Crosby— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 291. 
?o Crosby— Cornell Unjv, Expt. Stat., Bull. 265. 



48 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

nates in the hollow seed shell until spring, when the 
adults appear ; particularly injurious to early apples. 
Control — Since the grub lives over winter in the 
seeds, the apples under the tree should all be col- 
lected and destroyed. 

The green fruit worms "^ (Xyliiia antcnnata) 

(Xyliiia laticincrea) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

In some seasons the larv?s of several species of 
noctuid moths attack apples and eat large holes in 
the sides of the fruit; these larvae have become 
known as the green fruit worms ; the larvae appear 
in great numbers in May and June and do their 
damage, then go into the soil to the depth of i to 3 
inches where they make an earthen cell and spin a 
thin cocoon and change to pupae ; there they remain 
until September, when the moths appear and pass 
the winter in sheltered nooks; some of the pupae 
remain all winter in the soil. The moths come 
from their hibernating quarters or from the soil in 
March and April and lay their nearly globular, 
ridged eggs singly on the apple and pear branches. 
The larvae are not noticed until they become half 
grown and are then hard to kill. 

Control — If the trees are known to be infested 
they should be sprayed just as the tips of the buds 
show green and again just before the blossoms open 
with arsenate of lead, 3 pounds to 50 gallons of 
water or lime-sulphur. 

The pear-leaf blister-mite -^ {EriopJiycs pyri) 
Order — Acarina 
This mite has become a serious pest of apple trees 
in New York State within the last few years ; it is 
fully discussed under pear pests. 

21 Slingerland — -Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 123. 

22 — Parrott— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 283. 



APPLE INSECTS 49 

Fruit-tree leaf-roller -^ (ArcJiips arijyrospiki) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Eggs laid in small patches on branches of trees 
in June; larvae hatch next spring and attack buds 
and roll leaves together and eat into sides of fruit ; 
pupate in rolled leaves with a flimsy cocoon ; moths 
appear in June and July and lay eggs in great num- 
bers on the branches where they remain until the 
following spring. This insect is exceedingly in- 
jurious when once established in an orchard. It 
attacks apples, pears, cherries, and other fruits. 

Control — Spray the trees infested with eggs 
just before the buds start with a miscible oil, i gal- 
lon to 15 gallons of water. Follow this with ar- 
senate of lead, 3 pounds to 50 gallons just as soon 
as the tips of the buds show green, and again before 
the blossoms open. The spraying should be done 
thoroughly. 

Apple curculio -^ {Anthonomus quadrir/ibbiis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Mainly injurious in Central States; eggs laid in 
fruit while small; larvae feed on tissues of apple 
for three weeks; pup?e formed in apple and after 
about one week adult beetles emerge. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 3 pounds 
to 50 gallons just after petals fall and repeat in 
ten days ; clean up old fences and hedgerows near 
orchard. 

Trumpet leaf-miner-'^ (Tischcria malifolieUa) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 249 

Eggs laid on leaves ; larv?e gnaw through ^gg di- 

23 Herrick and Leiby — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 367. 

24 Crandall— Illinois Expt. Stat.. Bull. 98. 
25Quaintance— U. S. Bu. Ent, Bull. 68, Pt. III. 

jarvis— Conn. (Storrs) Bull. 45. 



so INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

rectly into the leaf and begin making their trumpet- 
shaped mines in the leaves ; four generations in lat- 
itude of Washington, probably two here ; larvae of 
last generation pass winter in mines in fallen leaves 
and pupate in spring. 

Control — Plow the leaves under or rake them 
and burn; spray infested leaves during June with 
nicotine sulphate, i pint to lOO gallons of w^ater 
with 4 pounds of soap added. 

Fall web-worm -^ {Hy pliant via text or) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 321 

Eggs laid during Jtuie or July in clusters on 
leaves; larvae build web nests all over trees; they 
pupate in September in flimsy cocoons hid away in 
cracks and crevices ; in these the pupae pass the win- 
ter, the moths appearing in May or June; farther 
south there are two broods. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 3 pounds 
to 50 gallons of water as soon as the young cater- 
pillars are seen; collect cocoons during winter. 

The red-humped apple-worm "^ {ScJuzura 

concinna) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 267 

Eggs laid in large white clusters on leaves in 
June and July ; larvae feed in colonies on a branch ; 
they go to the base of the tree and build parchment- 
like cocoons in which they pass the winter; they 
change to pupae in the spring ; the moths emerge in 
June, July and August. 

Control — Burn caterpillars with rag torch or 
spray with arsenate of lead, 3 pounds to 50 gallons. 
Make the first application early in July and second 
about two weeks thereafter. 

2G Sanderson— New Hampshire Expt. Stat., Bull. 130. 
?^ gandersop — Np\y Hampshire Expt. Stat., Bull. 139, 



APPLE INSECTS 51 

Yellow-necked caterpillars -^ (Datana 

ininistra) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 265 

Eg-gs laid in large white clusters in June and 

July ; larvae are gregarious, and often occur in large 

clusters on single branches; pupate in the earth in 

August and September, where they remain until the 

following spring; moths appear in June and July. 

Control — Same as for the red-humped cater- 
pillars. 

. The PALMER-woRM -^ {Y psolophns ligulelhis) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This is an insect that appears occasionally in in- 
jurious numbers ; the larvae destroy foliage and eat 
into fruit during June; moths appear first part of 
July and live over winter until following spring; 
eggs laid mostly on undersides of leaves. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 2^ 
pounds to 50 gallons when petals have three-fourths 
dropped and again in three weeks. 

Buffalo tree-hopper^" {Ceresa hiihalus) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Eggs laid most commonly in early September in 
slits made in the bark of branches; characteristic 
oval scars are left; eggs hatch in April or early 
May; the nymphs feed on succulent weeds in 
orchard; branches of affected trees become weak- 
ened and break off. 

Control — Clean culture in and about the or- 
chard to starve nymphs ; careful and judicious prun- 
ing of infested branches. 

The plttm curculio — An important enemy to 
the apple. It causes knotty, scarred fruit and is 

2s Sanderson — New Hampshire Expt. Stat., Bull. 139. 

29 SHngerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 187. 

30 Hodgkiss— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Tech. Bull. 17. 



52 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

apparently increasing as a pest to the apple. See 
plum pests for full discussion. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE 

The apple weevil (Pseudanthonomus cratcugi). 

The fringed- wing apple bud-moth (Holcoccra 
maligemmcUa) . 

The apple bud-worm {Exartema malanum). 

The oblique banded leaf -roller (Archips rosace^ 
ana). 

The leaf-crumpler (Mineola indigenella). 

The lime-tree span-worm {Erannis filiaria). 

Bruce's measuring-worm (RacJicla bntccafa). 

The gypsy moth (Porthcfria dispar). 

The brown-tail moth (Eiiprocfis chrysorvhcca). 

The apple leaf hopper (Empoasca mali). 

The bronze apple-tree weevil {Magdalis ccncs- 
ccns). 

PLUM PESTS 

At least 50 species of insects may feed upon the 
plum tree and its fruit. 

The plum curculio ^^ {Conotrachcliis nenuphar) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual, p. 593 

The adults hibernate in protected places along 
hedgerows, fences, etc., and appear in spring; they 
feed upon fruit, making shallow circular feeding 
punctures; they soon begin depositing eggs in the 
fruit, making a cresc.ent-shaped cut beneath each 
^gg; eggs hatch in 4 to 10 days and live in the fruit 
for about 14 days; the fruit usually falls to the 
ground and the grubs enter the soil from i to 3 
inches and pupate; in July and August the adults 

31 Crandall— Illinois Expt. Stat., Bull. 98. 

Quaintance and Jenne — U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 103. 



PLUM INSECTS S3 

appear and eat holes in the sides of apples, at least ; 
these holes are usually surrounded by a dark ring 
of skin ; beetles finally hibernate. This pest attacks 
apples, cherries, plums, pears. 

Control — Remove all fences, hedgerows, stone 
walls, etc., along sides of orchard; sunlight is fatal 
to larv?e, hence judicious pruning of trees and clean 
cultivation useful ; cultivate orchards in July and 
August to kill pupre; spray with arsenate of lead, 
5 pounds to lOO gallons of water just after petals 
fall and again ten days later. 

Plum scale ^^ {Lccanhun corni) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Eggs are laid in May and June and hatch mainly 
in July ; the young insects live on the leaves during 
the summer but migrate to the branches in the fall 
before the leaves drop; the young hibernate here, 
but in the spring usually move to the smaller 
branches where they complete their growth by the 
latter part of May. 

Control — Spray young scales about July ist 
with io% kerosene emulsion or nicotine sulphate, 
I pint to lOO gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap 
added; spray young scales on branches just before 
buds burst with a miscible oil, i gallon to 15 gallons 
water. 

The plum gouger "'''^ (AnfJwjwmus sciitcUaris) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Occurs particularly in the Northern Mississippi 
Valley. Adults hibernate over winter and appear 
in early spring, when they feed on buds and leaves ; 
later make feeding punctures in fruit and finally 
deposit eggs in cavities dug in fruit ; larvae bore into 

32 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 83. 

33 Cooley-^Mon. Expt. Stat., Bull. 62. 



54 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

pit and feed on kernel ; change to pup^e in pits and 
beetles emerge in August and September ; principal 
injury caused by punctures made by beetles in feed- 
ing and egg-laying. 

Control — Probably thorough spraying with ar- 
senate of lead will be effective. The first appli- 
cation should be made just before the blossoms 
open. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PLUM 

Plum leaf-miner {Nepticula slingerlandella) . 

American plum-borer (Ett.copJicra semifuner- 
ralis). 

Plum web-spinning sawfly {Nctirotoma incon- 
spiciia). 

Plum plant-louse (Mycus maJialeb). 

Rusty brown plum aphid {Aphis scfan'cc). 

Mealy plum louse (Hyalopfcnts arundinis). 

European fruit-tree scale (Aspidiofus ostrecc- 
f or mis). 

PEAR PESTS 

The pear-leaf blister-mite ^^ (Eriophyes pvri) 
Order — Acarina 

This is an European pest originally confined to 
the pear but now an important pest on apple in New 
York; it is a small, light-colored, four-legged ani- 
mal about 1-125 of an inch in length; it hibernates 
in the buds beneath the bud-scales ; in the spring the 
mites become active and go to the unfolding leaves 
into which they burrow and make small, brown, 
almost black, galls or blisters on them ; the mites 
live inside the galls in the tissues of the leaves and 
lay their eggs there ; the young are produced in the 

?* Parrott— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 306. 



PEAR INSECTS 5S 

galls but emerge later and form other blisters; af- 
fected leaves turn yellow and drop, thus injuring 
the tree. 

CoNTROL^ — Spray trees in fall or spring" with 
lime-sulphur, i gallon to lo or 12 of water. 

The pear psylla ^^ (Psylla pyricola) 
Order- — Hemiptera. Manual, p. 156 

A very fluctuating pest introduced from Europe 
upon young pear trees about 1832; very injurious 
.in central and western New York and along the 
Hudson; the orange-yellow eggs are deposited in 
creases in the bark mostly before the buds burst; 
the eggs hatch usually during the first two weeks 
of May; the nymphs suck juices from leaves and 
stems of young fruit; they secrete great quantities 
of honey-dew in which a fungus thrives and forms 
a black coating all over the branches; the nymphs 
mature in about one month and the adults appear ; 
there may be four broods in a season ; the adults of 
the last brood winter over in the crevices of the 
bark. 

Control — Scrape rough bark from trees and 
spray in November or December or March or early 
April with nicotine sulphate, Y^ pint to 100 gallons 
and 5 pounds of soap ; miscible oil may also be used 
at the rate of i gallon to 15 of water; spray on 
warm days when the temperature is not freezing; 
spray last of April or early May as buds are burst- 
ing with lime-sulphur at winter strengths to kill eggs. 
Spray for nymphs with " black-leaf 40," ^ pint to 
100 gallons with 5 pounds of soap; practice clean 
culture. 

35 SHngerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 44. 
Hodgkiss— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 387. 



56 INSECTS OE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The PEAR SLUG "^ {Caliroa ccrasi) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

Eggs laid in June in the leaf, hatch in 2 weeks 
and the slugs become full-grown in 4 or 5 weeks, 
when they shed their green skin for a yellow one 
and go into ground to pupate; the flies emerge in 
about 2 weeks ; two broods of the slugs, first in June 
and second in August ; hibernate as contracted slugs 
in their cocoons in soil. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 2^ 
pounds to 50 gallons of water, when slugs are first 
seen. 



The SAN JOSE scale ^' {Aspidiotus pcruiciosus) 
Order — Hemiptera 

One of our worst pests on fruit trees; first estab- 
lished in this country at San Jose, Calif. ; widely 
distributed over the United States, and infests 
apple, peach, pear, plum, currant, etc. ; first de- 
scribed by Professor Comstock in 1880; first discov- 
ered in the eastern United States in 1893; its orig- 
inal home is in China. (The insects pass the winter 
in an immature form — three-fourths grown — on 
the branches of infested trees under small, circu- 
lar, almost black scales; young are born in the 
spring, in June, for first generation; often but two 
generations a season in New York State. J 

Control — Spray with lime-sulphur, i gallon to 8 
of water, fall and spring; spray old rough-barked 
trees with one application of 25% oil emulsion; 
summer strengths of lime-sulphur are effective 
when young are hatching. 

3G Marlatt— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 26. 
^' Quaintance — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 124. 
Britton— Conn. Expt. Stat., Bull. 165. 



PEAR INSECTS 5; 

The scurfy bark-louse"^ (Cliionaspis furfura) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The female scales are large, elong-ated and dirty 
white; the male scales are small, long and narrow 
and have three ridges running lengthwise; the fe- 
male matures toward fall and lays 60 to 80 pur- 
plish eggs beneath the scale which remain there 
until the following spring; the female gradually 
shrivels and dies as she lays her eggs ; there is one 
brood a year; this pest occurs on apple as well as 
pear, but it is not considered seriously injurious. 

Control — Spray when the eggs are hatching and 
the young are appearing- with nicotine sulphate, i 
pint to 100 gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap, 
or with whale-oil soap, i pound in 5 gallons of 
water. 

The pear midge '"^^ (Confarinia pyrivora) 
Order — Diptera 

The adult insects which resemble miniature mos- 
quitoes, and are related to the Hessian fly, appear 
in the spring when the buds are bursting and lay 
their eggs through the petals and calyx on the an- 
thers of the unopened flowers; eggs, hatch in 4 or 
5 days ; the maggots work their way to the core of 
the developing pear and eat into the flesh in all di- 
rections ; they cause the fruit to become misshapen ; 
when the maggots are full-grown, about June ist, 
the pears crack open and allow them to escape to 
the ground, where they change to pupos and remain 
in the ground all winter; one brood a year; now 
occurs in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, 
being confined to the Hudson River Valley in New 
York. 

38 Quaintance and Sasscer — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 121. 

39 Smith— N. J. Expt. Stat., Bull. 99. 



58 INSECTS OP ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Control — Pick and destroy all misshapen in- 
fested fruits before May 15th; use kainit, one-half 
ton per acre. 

The pear thrips ^° (EutJirips pyri) 
Order — Thysanoptera 

The thrips was first discovered in California, 
where it has caused much injury; it was first discov- 
ered in New York in the Hudson River Valley in 
191 1, although probably had been present there for 
some years before; the thrips pass the fall and win- 
ter in the soil and the adults appear in the spring; 
they injure the opening buds and lay their eggs in 
the tissues of the fruit stems and leaves; the 
nymphs feed mainly on the young leaves; after 
feeding about two weeks they go into the ground 
but do not change to pupae until about October. 

Control — Spray swelling, partly open and fully 
opened buds with nicotine sulphate, ^ pint to 100 
gallons water and 5 pounds soap; spray on succes- 
sive days or every few days until probably 2 or 3 
applications have been made. 

The SINUATE pear borer ^^ (Agrihis siiiiiafiis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

First discovered in New Jersey in 1894; now se- 
riously injurious in lower Hudson Valley; the fe- 
male deposits her eggs in crevices of the bark or 
under the bark scales ; these hatch in early July and 
the slender whitish grubs make winding burrows in 
the sapwood; the lar.va rests during the winter but 
the next year it makes larger and more winding 
burrows which frequently cut off the supply of sap 
and kill the tree ; the larva passes another winter in 
the tree changing to a pupa in the following spring ; 

40 Parrott— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 343. 

41 Smith— 15th Ann. Kept. N. J. Agr. Expt. Station. 



PEAR INSECTS 59 

the slender bronze-l^rown beetles emerge the last of 
May and during June. 

Control — Adults feed on leaves, which suggests 
spraying with arsenate of lead after the petals fall ; 
the spraying should be continued during successive 
years. 

The false tarnispied plant-bug ^^ (Lygus 
communis) 
' Order — Hemiptera 

This insect has for years caused more or less in- 
jury to pears in New York State; the nymphs punc- 
ture the young fruit, thus causing it to become de- 
formed and knotty ; the tissue surrounding the punc- 
ture becomes hardened and gritty ; the eggs are de- 
posited in the young pear branches. 

The adult is about }i inch in length, very similar 
to the tarnished plant-bug and is light brownish in 
color ; the winter seems to be passed in the Qgg stage. 

Control — Spray about the time the petals are 
falling with nicotine sulphate, ^ pint to lOO gallons 
of water to which are added 3 or 4 pounds of soap. 
Repeat, if necessary, a few days later. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAR 

Pear-blight beetle (Xyleboms dispar). 
Codling moth {Carpocapsa pomoncUa) 
Green fruit-worm (Xylina antennata). 
San Jose scale (Aspidioi'us perniciosus). 
Cigar case-bearer {Coleophora fletchereUa). 
Howard scale (Aspidiottts Iwzuardi). 
Fruit-tree leaf-roller (Arcliips argyrospila). 

PEACH PESTS 

At least 25 different insects attack the peach tree. 

42 Parrott and Hodgkiss— N, Y, State Expt. Stat, Bull. 368. 



6o INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The peach-tree borer ^^ (Sanninoidca cxitiosa) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 260 

This pest is found in every state where peaches 
are grown east of the Rocky Mountains ; it is a na- 
tive insect and may attack the cherry, pkini, prune, 
apricot, ahiiond, and nectarine. 

The eg-gs are deposited on the bark of the trunks 
of trees in July and later ; they hatch and the young 
larvae find a crevice through which they gnaw their 
way into the inner bark ; here they work in the inner 
bark and sapwood, usually just below the surface 
of the ground; they often girdle young trees; the 
borers become half or two-thirds grown by fall and 
hibernate, either in their burrows or in hibernacula 
until spring; they become active and complete their 
growth by first part of June in New York and trans- 
form to pup?e; some larvae seem to live over another 
year; the larvae make large cocoons at the surface 
of the ground and the moths emerge from latter 
part of June to August ; the moths are clear-winged, 
shy and not often seen; the female has one or two 
orange-yellow bands on a1)domen. 

Control — Dig out the borers before June 15th 
of each year; Smith says, after borers are dug, 
spray the trunks with lime-sulphur at winter 
strengths with an excess of lime added and with i 
pound arsenate of lead to 5 gallons of the mixture. 
Spray with force into crevices of bark and then hill 
up 6 inches around base of tree; gas tar is some- 
times used but some danger in it. Paradichloro- 
benzene is being used in an experimental way (U. 
S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 796). 

*3 Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 176. 
Smith — New Jersey Expt. Stat., Bull. 235. 



PEACH INSECTS 6i 

The black peach aphid"'"' (Aphis pcrsiccc-nigcr) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The full-i^rown aphids are black but the younj^er 
ones are reddish-yellow or amber in color; the lice 
appear early in the season and confine their attacks 
to the tender bark of the twigs; later they attack 
the blossoms and blight them; they also attack the 
young peaches causing them to wilt and drop; the 
leaves also curl ; the aphids leave the branches in the 
latter part of June; they are said to pass the winter 
on the roots of the tree reinf esting the tree again in 
spring; this species often gets into this state on 
trees from nurseries in New Jersey, Maryland, etc. 

Control — Require nursery stock to be fumigated 
or dip the roots after freeing them from dirt in 
15% kerosene emulsion for 2 minutes only or in 
nicotine sulphate, i ounce to 5 gallons of water. 

The fruit-tree bark-beetle ^^ (Scolytus rugii- 

losiis) 
Order — Coleoptera 
Peach, cherry, plum and apple trees are often 
found with mau}^ small, round holes in the bark of 
the trunks and branches, due to the attacks of this 
small black beetle about one-tenth of an inch long; 
when trees are first attacked masses of gum exude ; 
diseased or weakened trees are most liable to at- 
tack but healthy trees are also subject to attack; 
the parent beetle bores through bark and excavates 
a burrow beneath, along the sides of which she 
digs tiny niches in each of which an egg is depos- 
ited ; the eggs hatch and each grub excavates a long 
burrow as it grows but finally changes to a pupa 
and the adult emerges cutting a round hole in the 
bark; at least two generations a year; passes the 

4* SHngerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 49, p. 325. 
*^ Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent, Circ. 29. 



61 INSECTS OF ECONOIMIC IMPORTANCE 

winter as a larva; very injurious and hard to con- 
trol ; also called the shot-hole borer. 

Control — Maintain vigorous healthy trees by 
proper cultivation and fertilization; cut down and 
burn all trees beyond hope and cut off all badly in- 
fested branches from other trees; clean up hedge- 
rows on the borders of orchards; apply thick coat 
of whitewash three times a year to protect trees, 
last of March, first part of July, and first of Octo- 
ber, 

The peach-tree bark-beetle ^^' (Phlwotribus 

liminaris) 

Order — Coleoptera 

This is another species very similar in appearance 
to the former, works in much the same way on 
peach trees but not so prevalent in New York; 
hibernates as adults in cells just beneath outer layer 
of bark on both healthy and unhealthy trees; in 
early spring they come out and migrate to trees, 
wood piles, brush heaps, etc., wherever they can 
build their brood chambers; 2 broods a year. 

The peach twig-borer "^'^ (Anarsia lineatcUa) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Apparently not a serious pest here ; more serious 
farther- south and in California; the half -grown 
larvie hibernate in cells just under the outer bark, 
mainly in crotches of the branches; in the spring 
the larvae emerge and attack the new leaf shoots 
into which they burrdws there are several broods 
a season some of which attack the stems of the 
fruit and some the fruit itself; the last brood of 
larva; go into hibernation in cells in the bark; the 

46 Wilson— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 68. Pt. o. 

47 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 80. 
Clarke— Calif. Expt. Stat., Bull. 144- 



PEACH INSECTS 63 

moth is only a little over half an inch in expanse of 
wings and of a dark grey color. 

Control — Lime-sulphur i to 10 and i to 1 1 ap- 
plied in the spring after the buds have begun to 
swell seems effective in California and Colorado; 
also arsenate of lead, 5 pounds to 50 gallons, applied 
when the majority of the blossom buds are showing 
their pink tips seems eft'ective in Colorado. 

Green peach aphid ^^ (A'Iy::;us persiccc) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Described under a multitude of names; feeds on 
60 dift'erent plants; most abundant peach louse; 
spends winter in egg stage on tree; eggs hatch in 
early spring and young go on the buds; the third 
generation leaves for other pla.nts. 

Control — Spray with nicotine sulphate, }i pint 
to 100 gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap or 
with whale-oil soap, i pound to 5 gallons or with 
10% kerosene emulsion. 

The peach lecanium ■*'* (Lccauiiiin nigrofascia- 

tUfll) 

Order — Hemiptera 

The ''Terrapin scale'' aft'ects peach, plum, apple, 
maple, sycamore, linden, and birch; it winters as 
an immature female on the branches ; these mature 
early in spring and bring forth the young; the 
young go to the leaves and continue their growth 
slowly until fall when they hibernate ; only one gen- 
eration a year; this insect is apparently not abun- 
dant in New York; aft'ected trees take on a sooty 
appearance due to a black fungus that flourishes 
in the honey-dew excreted by the insects. 

Control — Lime-sulphur is not effective; hero- 
es Gillette— Colo. Expt. Stat., Bull. 133. 
49 Sanders— U, S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 88. 



64 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

sene emulsion 20 to 25% applied just before buds 
burst will kill the hibernating females ; the miscible 
oils I to 16 or 20 just before the buds burst are 
effective; ^^ an emulsion of linseed oil and gasoline 
applied at the same period of tree development 
as recommended for the miscible oils has been very 
satisfactory; the emulsion is made by dissolving 2 
pounds of soap in 4 gallons of hot water and then 
adding 5 gallons of raw linseed oil and 3 gallons 
of gasoline and thoroughly emulsifying the whole; 
then add 88 gallons of water. 

The tarnished plant-bug ^^ (Lygus prafcnsis) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This widespread bug evidently attacks the fruit 
of peaches in some years puncturing the epidermis 
and scarring the surface of the fruits ; as a result 
gum exudes and the peaches soon become unfit for 
the market; the bug evidently attacks mostly 
peaches on trees standing in uncultivated orchards 
or about the edges of orchards among grass and 
weeds; it is very injurious to young peach trees in 
the nursery row; it punctures the buds and tender 
growing tips thus producing a stunted straggling 
young tree; it also attacks apples causing dimples 
in them. 

The adult is a dull yellowish or greenish bug mot- 
tled wath reddish-brown and about one-fifth inch 
in length; the eggs are inserted in the tender tips 
or petioles and veins of leaves ; the life cycle is prob- 
ably about 45 days and there are probably several 
generations a year. 

Control — Clean cultivation is the only known 
method of control. 

50 Simanton— U. S. Bii. Ent., Bull. 351. 

51 Crosby and Leonard— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 346. 



PEACH INSECTS 65 

The oriental peach moth ^" (Laspcyrcsia 

molest a) 

Order — Lepidoptera 

The oriental peach moth has lately been discov- 
ered in this country and promises to be a serious 
pest. It occurs in New York, New Jersey, Mary- 
land, Virginia, and Connecticut. It injures plum, 
cherry and peach at least. 

The insect passes the winter as a larva in cocoon 
beneath flakes of bark ; these pupate in early spring 
and moths emerge in mid- April in Maryland; the 
moths lay their eggs singly on undersides of leaves 
and the larvae attack tender shoots ; the larv?e feed 
8 to 16 days and spin cocoons in axils of twigs; 
the pupal stage lasts 5 to 12 days; there are 5 gen- 
erations in the vicinity of Washington, D. C. ; the 
fourth brood larvae feed on the fruit of late ripen- 
ing varieties. 

Control — Winter applications of lime-sulphur 
are useful; applications of the neutral arsenate of 
lead, 2 pounds to 50 gallons will aid in control; 
begin spraying with dropping of the bloom and 
make three appHcations about one month apart; 
watch effect of applications as arsenate of lead is 
liable to burn foliage ; use extra lime or add to the 
self-boiled lime-sulphur. 

The plum curculio ^^ — An important pest on 
peaches because it not only punctures the fruit but 
carries the spores of brown-rot and makes wounds 
through which the brown-rot enters. The self- 
boiled lime-sulphur for control of brown-rot with 
arsenate of lead added at the rate of 2 pounds to 
50 gallons of the mixture has given good results in 
the control of this pest. The arsenate of lead com- 
bined with the self-boiled lime-sulphur does not 

52 Carman— Md. Expt. Stat., Bull. 209. 

?3 Scott and Quaintance — U, S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 120, 



66 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

seem to be as injurious to peaches as when used 
alone. The first appHcation should be made about 
the time the calyces or shucks are falling and the 
second two or three weeks later. It is doubtful if 
a third application of poison is advisable. 

The San Jose scale — Very injurious to peach 
trees ; discussed under pear pests. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEACH 

Lesser peach-tree borer (Synanfhcdoii picfipcs). 
White peach scale (Aidacaspis pentagona) . 
Fruit-tree leaf-roller {Archips argyrospila). 
Apple-tree tent-caterpillar (Malacosoma amcri- 
cana). 

Peach saw-fly (PainpJiiliits pcrsicus). 

QUINCE PESTS 

The QUINCE curculio ■''' (CoiiofracJicIiis crafccgi) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This insect is a native one and its natural food 
is the hawthorn ; it also attacks pears and is widely 
distributed throughout the eastern, central, and ex- 
treme western portions of the United States. 

The winter is passed in the grub stage in small 
cells 2 or 3 inches below the surface of the earth; 
the grubs change to pup?e in the spring; the beetles 
appear from last week in May in some seasons to 
last week in July in others; the beetles feed on 
young fruits for some days and then deposit their 
eggs in the fruit; the larvae feed on the tissues of 
the quinces and when full-grown emerge through 
a hole and drop to the ground. 

Control — ■"*""' Spray first as soon as beetles be- 

5* Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 148. 

55 Strickland and Achilles— N. Y. State Dept. Agr., Bull. 116. 



QUINCE INSECTS ^y 

gin to feed which will be during the first two weeks 
of July, usually, with Bordeaux 3-3^50 or lime- 
sulphur 1-40 with 3 pounds of arsenate of lead 
added to each 50 gallons of liquid; make a second 
application in about a week or ten days ; collect all 
drops and culls, take them from the orchard, and 
destroy them. 

The bud moth — This is also quite a pest of 
quinces ; discussed under apple pests. 

The pear slug — This occurs on quince trees but 
may be controlled as recommended under pear pests. 

The codling moth — This common apple pest is 
often quite a serious pest in quinces; it can doubt- 
less be controlled as on apples. 

The round-headed apple-borer — This is seri- 
ously injurious to quince trees but is subject to the 
same methods of control as on the apple. 

CHERRY PESTS 

As many as 46 different pests may attack the 
cherry tree. 

The black cherry louse ^^ {Myzus ccrasi) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This is an old European pest and has been here 
for at least 50 years ; it is primarily a pest of sweet 
cherries and although in some localities it may at- 
tack som- cherries it does not seem to seriously 
injure them ; the eggs are laid on the small branches 
about the buds; the young lice appear about the 
time the buds open on sprouts and lower limbs of 
trees ; the lice increase all through June until some- 
times they become very abundant ; then they nearly 
all disappear, most of them going to the wild pep- 
per-grass {Lcpidium a petal i mi), only scattered 

■'<'■ Gillette— Canad. Ent., Vol. 50, p. 241. 



68 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

colonies remaining- here and there; in September 
winged forms return from the pepper-grass and the 
egg-laying females deposit their eggs; the cherry 
foliage may sometimes be blackened with these lice ; 
the winged and wingless forms are deep shining 
black and the body is rather broad and flat; they 
curl leaves badly. 

Control — Spray with nicotine sulphate, 34 pint 
to 100 gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap 
added before the buds break; spray thoroughly. 

The cherry fruit-flies ^'^ (Rhagoletis cingnlata) 

(Rhagolefis faiista) 
Order — Diptera 

These flies are very similar in appearance to the 
apple maggot fly ; the eggs are inserted beneath the 
skin of the cherries a short time before they begin to 
redden; infested cherries do not show any effects 
of the Qgg laying or of the maggot within for some 
days; when cherries are left on the tree or picked 
a portion of each fruit will rot and sink in on the 
side ; the maggot is yellowish-white and a little over 
a quarter of an inch long; it is straight while the 
larva of the curculio that lives in cherries is usually 
more or less curved; the maggots leave the fruit 
when full-grown and enter the ground where they 
change to pupae and remain until the following 
spring; there is only one brood a year; the insects 
are confined mainly to sour varieties of cherries. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 5 pounds, 
water 100 gallons, and 2 gallons of molasses; apply 
just as cherries begin to redden or when flies first 
appear; if it rains repeat in a week or ten days. 
There is evidence to show that arsenate of lead 
alone in water will control the insects. 

57 Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 172. 
Illingworth— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 325. 



CHERRY INSECTS 69 

The cherry-tree leaf-roller ^^ (ArcJiips ccrasi- 

vorana) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This pest is often seen on clioke cherries ; the 
eg'g's are laid in patches on trunks or branches near 
the ground; they remain here unhatched until the 
following spring; when they hatch the green larvae 
crawl up to the branches where they begin to draw 
the leaves toward each other and tie them together 
with silk; in this way they build large ugly nests, 
inside of which they live and eat the leaves; the 
larvse pupate in these nests and the moths appear in 
June and July ; one brood a year. 

Control — Cut out nests and burn before moths 
appear. 

Cherry leaf-miner ^^ (Profcnitsa coUaris) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

The larvae mine in the leaves of cherries ; interior 
of leaves all eaten out and leaf then turns brown 
and a large ''blister" is formed; principal damage 
occurs during last week of May and early part of 
June; the larv?e go into ground to hibernate. 

Control — Plow and cultivate ground in late fall 
to destroy larvae; pick off the infested leaves and 
destroy them. 

Shot-hole borer — Discussed under peach pests. 
It is often a serious pest on cherries. 

The pear slug — Often a serious pest on cher- 
ries; discussed under pear pests. 

The plum curculio — Often a serious pest on 
cherries; discussed under plum pests. 

Control — Spray sour cherries with arsenate of 
lead, 3 pounds to 50 gallons just after petals fall as 
the young cherries are bursting through the calyces; 

^'8 Herrick— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 311, p. 290. 
ssParrott and Fulton— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 411. 



70 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

sweet cherries may need to be sprayed twice, ten 
days apart. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE 
CHERRY 

Cherry fruit-sawfly {Hoplocampa cookci). 
For1)es' scale {Aspidiotus forbcsi). 
Fruit-tree leaf-roller {Archips ar gyros pila). 
Oblique banded leaf-roller (ArcJiips rosaceana). 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SMALL FRUITS 

GRAPE PESTS 

Over lOO insects recorded in this country on the 
vine. 

The grape phylloxera ^ {PJiyUo.vcra I'asfafrix) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This insect has always existed in this country 
on wild vines but not very injurious here; very 
destructive in France; it exists in two forms, one 
on the leaves and one on the roots ; the root form is 
much the more injurious one. 

The true sexual eggs are laid in the fall on old 
wood and hatch the following spring; the young 
lice go to the leaves and form galls on the lower 
sides; in these galls a female may lay 500 or 600 
eggs; there may be 6 or 7 generations a season on 
the leaves; young of later generations pass to roots 
and winter there ; the root-forms cause galls on the 
roots and great injury; winged females issue from 
cracks in the soil in fall and go to the stems of vines 
where they lay 2 to 8 eggs; these eggs are of two 
sizes, the smaller yielding males and the larger 
females; the true females are small with rudimen- 
tary mouthparts and each lays a single true egg. 

1 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 70. 
Quayle— Calif. Expt. Stat., Bull. 192. 

71 



72 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Control — In France American root-stocks are 
used. 

The grape root-worm - (Fidia viticida) 
Order — Coleoptera 

The most serious pest of the grape in this state ; 
probably invaded Chautauqua grape region about 
1899; it is an American insect and widely distrib- 
uted over the northern half of the eastern United 
States. 

The adult beetles appear last of June or first of 
July and begin feeding on leaves making charac- 
teristic chain-like holes; about middle of July they 
begin to deposit eggs in masses under the loose bark 
on the canes and trunks; the eggs hatch in about 
two weeks and the larvae drop to the ground where 
they make their way to the roots through cracks 
and crevices of the soil; they live upon the roots 
and become nearly and sometimes full-grown by 
fall; in November the larvae burrow to a depth of 
a foot, form cells in the soil and pass the winter; 
in early May they return to the roots, feed a short 
time and change to pupae along in the middle of 
June ; the partly grown larvae may feed longer ; the 
pupal stage lasts about two weeks when the adults 
appear, thus making one generation a year. 

Control — Cultivation about the roots of the 
vines with a horse-hoe during the first two weeks 
of June is of benefit in destroying the pupae. If 
beetles are only moderately abundant, spray vines 
within one week after beetles are first seen with 6 
pounds of arsenate of lead in 100 gallons Bordeaux; 
if beetles abundant, use the sweetened mixture of 
six pounds arsenate of lead, 100 gallons water and 

- Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 184. 
Hammar— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 89. 
Hartzell— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 331. 



GRAPE INSECTS 73 

2 gallons molasses; rains will wash this mixture off 
and it must be repeated to be effective. 

The grape-vine elea-beetle ^ {Haltica clialybca) 
Order — ^Coleoptera 

Another American pest of grapes that in many 
years is very serious; the first pest, usually, to ap- 
pear in the spring on grapes; widely distributed 
over the eastern United States. 

The adult steel-blue beetles appear early and at- 
tack the swelling buds which they may completely 
destroy; when leaves appear they feed on them; the 
beetles lay their eggs all through May under the 
bark on the canes, under the scales surrounding the 
buds and occasionally on the leaves; eggs hatch 
latter part of June or early July; the larv?e then 
feed on foliage and attain their growth in about 
three weeks; they then drop to the ground and 
burrow downward several inches where they form 
cells and change to pupae; the pupal stage lasts lo 
days to two weeks; the beetles emerge and feed 
upon the foliage but do little damage; they finally 
enter hibernation along hedgerows, borders of 
woods, etc., where they pass the winter. 

Control — Collect adults in pans with a shallow 
layer of kerosene in bottom; it is as economical as 
spraying vines ; if no rains, spray vines, when bee- 
tles begin to appear, with arsenate of lead, 6 pounds 
water, lOO gallons and molasses, 2 gallons; later 
spray vines with arsenate of lead 3 pounds in 50 
gallons of water or Bordeaux mixture. 

The rose-chafer "* (Macrodacfylus subspinosiis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This is an American insect and is injurious to 

3 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 157. 
Hartzell— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bulls. 331, 453- 
4Hartzell— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 331. 



74 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

.^'rapes, cherries, apples, raspberries, roses and other 
plants ; a very serious pest on o-rapes .but is liable 
to occur locally; the adult beetles feed on the blos- 
soms and when these are g'one, on the leaves and 
berries. 

The adult beetles appear during the latter half of 
June, mate, and deposit their eggs the last of June 
and through July; the eggs are deposited in sandy 
soil where they hatch and the white grubs feed on 
the roots of grasses; the grubs become full-grown 
by November and burrow down about one foot 
where they pass the winter; early in the spring 
they crawl back nearer the surface, feed for a time 
and change to pupse during the latter part of May ; 
in about three weeks the beetles appear. So far as 
observed these insects prefer sandy soil for breed- 
ing and develop largely in grass lands especially 
long-standing meadows. 

Control — Harrow the soil in which larv?e are 
present making three harrowings from the last 
week in May to the middle of June ; spray vines with 
arsenate of lead, 8 pounds to lOO gallons with two 
gallons of molasses added; apply as soon as beetles 
first appear on the vines; it is said that a mixture 
of whale oil soap, 20 pounds, water, 100 gallons, 
and crude carbolic acid, i pint, will kill the beetles 
when hit and that this mixture will not injure apple 
and cherry foliage. 

The grape leafhopper ^ (TypJilocyba comes) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This leafhopper is often erroneously called 
''thrips" ; it is an American insect and appears to 
be found wherever the grape grows ; it is becoming- 
of more importance but fluctuates in abundance 

■"' Hartzell— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 344. 
Johnson— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 97, Ft. I. 
Slingerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 215. 



GRAPE INSECTS 75 

and injurioiisness ; vines injured 1)y the hoppers for 
several years have a stunted growth and bear few 
grapes. 

The aduUs appear l^efore the leaves have un- 
folded and feed until the middle of June when they 
begin to deposit their eggs within the tissues of the 
leaves; the eggs hatch during the first two weeks of 
July and the nymphs pass through five stages and 
many become adults by August ist; they remain 
on vines until the autumn when they leave to find 
hibernating places; grassy ditch-banks, fence cor- 
ners, hedgerows, and similar situations furnish hi- 
bernating opportunities; there is one full lirood, a 
partial, and sometimes a full second brood; the 
nymphs live mostly on the under sides of the leaves. 

Control — Nicotine sulphate, i to looo to 1600 
is an efficient remedy. It must be sprayed on the 
under sides of the leaves to be effective. Use a 
large aperture in the nozzle and a pressure of 125 
to 150 pounds. 

The grape-berry moth ^ (PolycJirosis vifcana) 
Order — Lepidoptera 
Nearly all wormy grapes in New York are caused 
by the caterpillars of this moth; the moth is pur- 
plish-brown with not quite half an inch spread of 
wings; infested berries show a purplish spot on 
their green surfaces and soon crack open at this 
place; spores of fungi enter and cause the berries 
to rot. 

The insect spends the winter as a pupa in cocoons 
attached to the fallen leaves ; moths begin to appear 
about June ist and lay their eggs preferably on the 
young berries; the young caterpillars feed on the 
small berries, often slightly webbing them together; 
this spring brood of larv?e is hardly noticed by 

''Johnson and Hammar — U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. ii6, Pt. IL 



T^ INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

growers although they may destroy much setting 
fruit; the larvae make cocoons on the leaves and 
some transform to moths that appear latter part of 
July; these moths lay eggs on the grape berries and 
these larvae go into the berries and cause the 
wormy grapes ; the larvae mature in Sept. and make 
cocoons on the leaves ; these fall to the ground where 
the pupae pass the Winter. 

Control — Spray with the following mixture, 
first just after the blossoms fall, second, about two 
weeks later or when the grape berries are just 
touching: arsenate of lead 3 pounds, resin fish-oil 
soap I pound, added to Bordeaux 3-3-50-^ 

The grape-blossom midge ^ (Contariiiia johnsoni) 
Order — Diptera 

This insect has been injurious in certain vine- 
yards in Chautauqua County for several years; it 
is most injurious to early varieties; the larvae live 
inside of the blossom buds and injure them by feed- 
ing upon the pistil; infested buds become much 
swollen and blasted. 

Adults emerge from soil the latter part of May 
and deposit their eggs within the buds by means 
of a long telescopic ovipositor; the larvae attain 
their growth a few days preceding blossoming and 
then crawl out of the bud ; they drop to the ground 
and burrow beneath the surface where they form 
cocoons and remain until the following spring when 
they change to pupae. 

Control — No efficient method of control known. 
The grape leaf-folder ^ {Dcsmia fuucralis) 

Order — Lepidoptera 
In midsummer and later, many grape leaves may 

T Iseley— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 550. 

8 Hartzell— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 331. 

9 Strauss— U. S. Bu. Ent, Bull. 419- 



GRAPE INSECTS ^7 

he found with the edges rolled or with the upper 
faces folded together; if opened a small active 
wriggling larva w'ill be found between the folds; 
the leaf will also be found to be skeletonized inside 
of the folds. 

The insect passes the winter as a pupa in the 
leaves; the moths appear early in the spring and 
there are at least two broods a season ; the moth 
expands about one inch and has shining black wings 
bordered wnth white and with two white spots on 
each front one and one long white spot on each hind 
one. 

Control — Crush larv?e by hand in folded leaves ; 
spray with arsenate of lead as for the berry moth 
and others. 

The striped tree-cricket^*' (OccanfJiiis nigri- 

cornis) 

Order — Orthoptera 

This species of Oecanthus often lays its eggs in 
canes of the grapes causing a characteristic scarring 
of the canes. Its injuries, however, are not serious 
since the nymphs do not feed on the vines. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAPE 

Grape-leaf skeletonizer (Harrisina amcricana). 
Eight-spotted forester {Alypia octomacidata). 
Grape plume-moth {Oxypi'ilus periscelidactylus). 
Grape-cane borer (AmpJiicerus bicaudafus). 

{Schist oceriis hamafits) . 
Grape-cane gall-maker (Ampcloglyptcr scsos- 
fris). 

Cottony maple scale (Puhinaria I'itis). 
Grape scale (Aspidiotus uvcc). 
Apricot scale {Eidccaniiim arincniaciim). 
Grape curculio (Craponitis inccqualis). 

loParrott and Fulton— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 388. 



78 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

CURRANT PESTS 

The imported currant worm ^^ (Pfcronus 
ribesii) 

Order — liymenoptera. Manual, p. 613 

An imported insect first found in New York 
about Rochester in 1857; it is a saw-fly with a red- 
dish body about one-third of an inch long and four 
transparent wings. The adults appear soon after 
the leaves put out and lay their eggs along the veins 
of the undersides of the leaves ; they hatch in a week 
or ten days; the larvae have 10 pairs of legs and 
eat voraciously, often defoliating the bushes ; when 
full-grown they are three-quarters of an inch long 
and burrow into the ground or hide beneath rub- 
bish on the surface and spin cocoons within which 
they change to pup:€ ; in July the adults appear and 
deposit their eggs for a second generation which is 
often more abundant than the first ; the larvae of 
this second generation remain in the ground all 
winter; possibly a partial third generation. 

Control — Spray when larvcie are first seen with 
arsenate of lead, 3 pounds to 50 gallons of water; 
when berries begin to ripen use fresh white helle- 
bore. 

The CURRANT-STEM GiRDLER ^^ (Jauus integer) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

An American insect that is widely distributed in 
New York State; in May, it girdles the new growth 
of the branches and the tips wilt and fall over ; the 
adult insect is a saw-fly with a shining black body 
and transparent wings. 

The winter is passed as a larva in l^urrows in- 
side the currant stems; in April it changes to a 

11 Riley— Ninth Mo. Rept., p. 7. 

^2 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., P)Ull. 126. 



CURRANT INSECTS 79 

pupa and in the last part of May the adults appear ; 
the female makes a hole in the tender branch with 
her ovipositor and then deposits her eg-g; she then 
girdles the branch about one inch above the egg; 
this she does in an interesting- way with her oviposi- 
tor; the end of the stem wilts and falls over; the 
larva burrows down the stem going 6 or 8 inches 
by fall ; it then spins a cocoon at the lower end and 
passes the winter. 

Control — As soon as the wilted tips of the canes 
are seen in the spring they should be cut off 4 or 5 
inches below the girdled place and burned. This 
will destroy all of the eggs. 

The currant motii-rorer ^^ (Scsia tipiilifoniiis) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This is a beautiful clear-winged moth like the 
peach-tree borer ; it is another imported pest and is 
said to be, in some localities, a serious one. 

The eggs are laid on the stems in the axils of the 
leaves; the young larva bores into the stem and 
gradually tunnels out a burrow down the center as 
it grows ; the larvcT become half grown by fall and 
pass the wanter in their burrow^s; in spring they 
complete their growth and pupate; the moths ap- 
pear in June. Affected stems produce small yel- 
lowish leaves and are soon broken off by the wind. 

Control — Infested stems should be cut off be- 
low the lowest part of the tunnel and burned. 

The currant APnin ^"^ (Myciis rihis) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The small black eggs of the aphid are found on 
the stalks in winter and hatch just as the foliage 

" Lugger— Minn. Expt. Stat., "Rull. 43, P- 184. 
14 Lowe— N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bull. 139. 



8o INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

appears; the aphids multiply and cause the foliage 
to curl and pucker ; in the third generation winged 
females migrate to motherwort {Leomirus) and 
hedgenettle (Stachys) but some of the aphids may 
remain on the currants ; in late October the winged 
migrants return to the currants and produce males 
and egg-laying females, the latter depositing the 
eggs. 

Control — Spray before leaves are badly curled 
with nicotine sulphate, i pint to lOO gallons of wa- 
ter with 4 pounds of soap added ; spray the under- 
sides of the leaves. 

The FOUR-LINED LEAF-BUG ^^ (PcccHocapsus Uuea- 

tus) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This is a common bug with many food plants but 
is often very injurious to the young foliage of cur- 
rant and gooseberry; attacked leaves turn brown, 
curl up and become brittle. 

The eggs are deposited in slits cut lengthwise in 
the stems of the plants; they pass the winter in 
these situations and hatch early in the spring; the 
nymphs have shining vermilion red bodies; they 
molt five times and become full-grown in ly to 20 
days ; the nymphs feed on the tenderest young foli- 
age, causing brownish depressed spots to appear on 
the leaves; the adult bugs appear about the middle 
of June; lay their eggs, are active for about a month 
and then disappear. 

Control — Spray the nymphs with nicotine sul- 
phate, three-fourths pint to 100 gallons of water; 
cut off tips of stems containing eggs and burn them. 

1"' SHngerland— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 58. 



STRAWBERRY INSECTS 8i 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE 
CURRANT 

Green currant worm (GymiionycJins appendicula- 
tus). 

Pepper-and-salt currant moth {Lycia cogna- 
taria). 

Yellow currant fruit-fly {Epochra canadensis). 

Dark currant fruit-fly (Rhagoletis 7'ibicola). 

San Jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus) . 

Walnut scale (Aspidiotus juglans-rcgicc). 

STRAWBERRY PESTS 

White grubs ^"^ (PhyllopJiaga sp.) 
Order — Coleoptera 

White gTubs are the larvae of May beetles or 
"June bugs"; there are at least eight species of 
these that are injurious; these insects have a pro- 
longed life cycle, two to three years and may be 
longer in some cases; white grubs are liable to 
accumulate in old pastures and meadows and when 
these are broken and other crops put on the sod 
there is liable to be much injury; the grubs eat off 
roots of strawberry plants. 

The egg"s are laid in balls of earth in the ground 
where they hatch and the grubs live there until the 
summer of the second year when they change to 
pupae in the soil ; the pup?e change to beetles in late 
summer but the beetles remain in their earthen cells 
until the following spring. 

Control — Do not follow sod land with straw- 
berries; put some other crop between; in gardens 
and small plantings dig grubs out by hand. 

ic Forbes — Illinois Expt. Stat., Bull. ii6. 
Davis — U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 940. 



82 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The strawberry weevil ^'^ {Anthonomiis signa- 

tns) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This is a small beetle about one-tenth of an inch 
lono- with a rather lono- proboscis; it is usually more 
injurious farther south and in the southeastern part 
of New York State. 

The weevils emerge from their winter quarters 
early and the females deposit their eggs within the 
buds of strawberries; the beetle then cuts off the 
flower-stem and the bud soon falls to the around; 
the grub lives inside of the bud on the pollen and 
changes to a pupa from which the beetle emerges 
later ; evidently but one brood a year. 

Control — If possible plant mostly pistillate va- 
rieties with just enough staminate varieties to cross- 
fertilize them; plant early-blooming staminate va- 
rieties as trap crops ; cover beds with muslin ; place 
beds in open fields away from fences, hedgerows, 
etc.; practice clean culture; dust plants with a mix- 
ture of sulphur 5 parts, and powdered arsenate of 
lead I part ; begin dusting as soon as weevils are 
seen and make two applications one week apart. 

The strawberry leaf-roller ^^ (Ancylis comp- 

fana) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Moths appear in early May in New Jersey; lay 
pale green eggs mostly on the undersides of leaves ; 
these hatch in about one week; the young larva 
feeds a day or two ort upper side of the leaf but 
soon folds the halves of the leaf together, tying it 
securely with silk and lives within fully protected 
from insecticides; becomes full-grown in about one 

1" Chittenden — U. S. Bu. Ent.. Circ. 2i. 

Headlec— N. J. Expt. Stat., Bull. 324. 
18 Webster— Iowa Expt. Stat., Bull. 179. 



STRAWBERRY INSECTS 83 

month and is then about ^ inch long, yellowish to 
greenish-broAvn and head shining brown; trans- 
forms to pupa in folded leaf; in New Jersey 3 
broods a year but first brood causes most injury. 

Control — Make a thorough application of ar- 
senate of lead, 5 pounds to 100 gallons of water, 
within a week after the first moths appear and be- 
fore leaves are folded; burn over fields after crop 
is harvested; plow up old abandoned beds. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE 
STRAWBERRY 

Strawberry root-worm (Typophorus canellus). 
Strawberry root-louse (Aphis forbcsi). 
Strawberry crown-moth (Sesia rufilans). 
Green strawberry slug (Empria fragaricc). 
Obsolete banded strawberry leaf-roller (ArcJiips 
ohsolctana). 

Strawberry root-weevil (Otiorhynchns ovatiis). 
Strawberry crown-borer (Tyloderma fragaricc). 

RASPBERRY AND BLACKBERRY PESTS 

The raspberry cane-borer ^° (Oberca himacit- 

lata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

The adult beetle is about one-half an inch in 
length with a slender cylindrical body and long an- 
tennae; the prothorax is yellow, generally with 
two or three black spots. 

The beetles appear in June and deposit their eggs 
in the tender growth of the canes; the female then 
cuts two rings around the cane, one above and one 
below the egg; this causes the tips of the canes to 
wilt and fall over ; the ^gg hatches and the young 
larva begins to bore downward in the center of the 

1" Comstock and Slingerland^Corncll Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 23. 



84 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

stem ; it passes the first winter in its burrow not 
far from the egg and by the second fall reaches 
the root where it passes the winter, changes to a 
pupa in the spring and the beetle emerges in June. 

Control — Cut off the wilted tips of the canes 
some distance below the egg as they appear in June. 

The raspberry saw-fly ^^ {Monophadnus rubi) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

A saw-fly, the larvae of which are at times quite 
injurious to raspberries; it may feed also upon the 
blackberry and dewberry ; the leaves are completely 
devoured, the new canes may be injured and the 
buds and young fruit sometimes suffer. 

The adults appear the first half of May and de- 
posit their eggs within the tissues of the leaves 
from the undersides; in a week to ten days they 
hatch; the full-grown larva is green in color with 
the body covered with spine-bearing tubercles; 
after feeding on leaves until nothing but veins are 
left the larvae go into the ground two or three 
inches below the surface and make cocoons in 
which they spend the winter, changing to pupae in 
the spring; there is only one brood annually. 

Control — The larvae may be brushed from the 
plants to the ground where they will die ; the plants 
may be sprayed with arsenate of lead, 2^/4 pounds 
to 50 gallons of water as soon as the larvae are seen. 

The striped tree-cricket "^ (Occanthus nigri- 

cornis) 

Order — Orthoptera 

This insect lays its eggs in the canes in the fall 
where they remain all winter; the eggs are laid in 

20 Lowe— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. iso. 

21 Parrott and Fulton— N. Y. State Expt. Stat., Bull. 388. 



RASPBERRY INSECTS 85 

rows and cause long- jagged wounds in the canes; 
the nymphs and adults live largely on plant-lice and 
other insects and must be regarded as beneficial; 
the w^ounds made by depositing the eggs injure the 
canes. 

Control — If abundant, affected canes should be 
cut out in the fall and winter. 

The red-necked cane-borer -" (Agrilits mficollis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

The stems of raspberries sometimes bear irreg- 
ular swellings or galls two or more inches in length 
and gradually tapering toward either end; caused 
by a beetle about one-third inch in length with red- 
dish "neck'' or thorax and black head; deposits 
egg in June in bark near base of leaf on new 
growth ; young larva bores upward in sapwood pass- 
ing around stem in a spiral manner thus girdling 
cane ; it is a flat yellowish-white grub about ^/i inch 
in length ; completes growth in spring and changes 
to pupa in cell in pith. 

Control — Cut and burn infested canes during 
fall and winter ; destroy wild berry bushes in which 
the beetles may breed. 

The raspberry cane-maggot -^ (PJwrbia riihi- 

vora) 
Order — Diptera 

This is a small fly that attacks the new shoots of 
the raspberry in the spring ; the attacked shoots wilt 
and droop; the tip shrinks, turns dark blue and 
dies. 

As soon as the new shoots appear in the spring 
the fly deposits its eggs in the axils of the tip leaves ; 
the white maggot burrow^s to the pith of the stem 

22 Smith— N. J. Expt. Stat., Special Bull. N. 

23 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 126, 



86 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

and then begins to tunnel its way downward inside 
of the stem ; after working- downward a few inches 
it girdles the young shoot just beneath the bark 
which causes the tip to wait; the maggot then tun- 
nels farther downward until it reaches the surface 
of the ground; here it finally changes to a pupa in 
June and July; the pupa remains there until the 
following spring when the fly emerges; one brood 
a year. 

Control — As soon as the drooping canes are 
seen in the spring they should be cut off several 
inches below the girdle and burned. 

The raspberry root-borer-^ (Bcmbccia inargi- 

nafa) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The adult moths are clear-winged and closely re- 
lated to the peach-tree borer; the borer or larva is 
yellowish-white and i to i^ inches long; they at- 
tack the stems and roots of raspberries and black- 
berries, causing the plants to die. 

The moths appear in August and September and 
lay their brownish-red eggs on the lower side of the 
leaves ; the larv?e crawl down the stems and burrow 
beneath the bark; they may hil)ernate at once or if 
early they will feed and grow some before winter; 
the next summer they bore into the stems and roots 
sometimes girdling the stem at the crown and at- 
tacking new shoots; during the next summer the 
larvae become full-grown and pupate, the moths 
appearing in August and September. 

Control — The only way of controlling this pest 
is to pull up infested plants and burn them. 

24 Smith— N. J. Expt.^Stat., Bull. N, p. 9. 

Lawrence — Washington Expt. Stat., Bull. 6^. 



RASPBERRY INSECTS 87 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE 
RASPBERRY 

Raspljcrry honitail {llarl'ujia abdomiiialis). 

Rose scale {Aiilacaspis roscc). 

American raspl)erry beetle (Byfurus nnicolov). 

Blackberry leaf-miner {Mcfallus nibi). 

Red spider {Tctraiiychus tclariiis). 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 
WHITE POTATO 

The Colorado potato beetle ^ (Lcpfiiwfarsa lo- 

line at a) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual, p. 576 

Originally on a wild plant (Solanum) of the po- 
tato family in Colorado ; gradually spread eastward 
to Nebraska 1859, crossing the Mississippi River 
in 1864 and reaching New York 1872; moved at 
rate of 88 miles annually and reached the Atlantic 
in 1874; in 1877 it reached England but was ex- 
terminated. 

The beetles winter over, usually deep in the 
ground, occasionally under rubbish; female lays 
her orange-red eggs in patches on the undersides 
of the leaves; she is capable of laying 500 to 2000; 
these hatch in 5 to 7 days ; the grubs eat ravenously 
and mature in 2 or 3 weeks and then enter ground 
where they form cells and pupate; the pupal stage 
lasts 10 days to two weeks; there are two genera- 
tions here, the adults of the second generation hi- 
bernating. The work of this beetle seems to affect 
quality of tubers. 

Control — Spray with paris green, i pound in 
50 gallons of Bordeaux mixture or arsenite of zinc, 
i^ pounds to 50 gallons or arsenate of lead paste 
4 pounds. 

The potato flea-beetle " {Epitrix ciicumcris) 
Order — Coleoptera 

The potato flea-beetle is a small beetle with en- 

1 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 87. 

2 Johannsen — Maine Expt. Stat., Bull. 211. 



POTATO INSECTS 8g 

larged muscular femora on the hind leg's with which 
it jumps lil<e fleas hence the name. 

The beetles hibernate in heclgerows, along fences, 
etc., and appear early in the spring; they bite holes 
in the epidermis of leaves and eat out green tissue ; 
later in the season they cause much injury by their 
persistent feeding; the eggs are deposited on and 
in the soil around the base of the plant and the 
small larvce feed on the underground stems and 
tubers ; they bore straight into the tubers and cause 
"slivers" in the potatoes; pimple-like spots often 
occur over the outside of the potato where these 
larvae are situated and cause "pimply" potatoes. 

Control — Thorough spraying with Bordeaux 
mixture to keep the plants covered is the only satis- 
factory method of control. Arsenate of lead may 
be added or paris green for the Colorado potato 
beetle. 

Blister-beetle^ (Epicaufa vitfata) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual, p. 586 
This species is knowai as the striped blister-beetle; 
it is a large, slender beetle with soft, flexible elytra; 
these beetles pass through complicated changes in 
their life history ; the eggs are laid in the earth and 
the young grubs feed upon the eggs of grasshop- 
pers ; the beetles often appear in great swarms over 
limited areas and are hard to control and quite de- 
structive. 

Control — Hand-pick into pans of kerosene, 
spray with strong poison mixture 3 pounds of ar- 
senate of lead to 50 gallons of water. 

The potato aphid ^ (MacrosipJium solanifolii) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This aphid is widely distributed from Maine to 

3 Gibson— 42nd Ann. Rpt. Ent. Soc. Ont. 

* Houser and Guyton — Ohio. Expt. Stat., Bull. 317. 



go INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

California and during the past few years has been 
very destructive; it varies in color from pink to 
green; the 1)lack winter eggs are deposited on the 
rose and other plants ; in the spring they hatch and 
the aphids infest potatoes most seriously in July 
and August; a generation developed about every 
two weeks; the potatoes wilt and finally die when 
badly infested; in September the aphids desert the 
potatoes and colonize on various weeds and par- 
ticularly on the rose where the winter eggs are 
again laid. 

Control — Clean culture with the destruction of 
all host plants so far as possible; spray infested 
plants with nicotine sulphate, % of a pint to too 
gallons of water with 5 pounds of soap added. 

The potato stalk-borer (TricJiobaris trinotata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This pest of the potato is more injurious in the 
West apparently than here although it is often in- 
jurious in New Jersey and may become so in New 
York at any time. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE POTATO 

Egg plant flea-beetle {Epitrix fuscula). 
Tobacco flea-beetle {Epitrix parviila). 
Potato tuber worm (PJifJiorimcca opcrciilcUa). 
Potato-scab gnat (Pnyxia scabiei). 

SWEET POTATO 

The sweet potato flea-beetle^ (Chcufocnema 
' confinis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

A small bronze or brassy-brown shining beetle 
about one-sixteenth inch in length; hibernates over 

^ Smith— N. J. Expt. Stat, Rept. for 1908, p. 342. 



POTATO INSECTS 91 

winter in rubbish appearing- early in May in N. J- ; 
lay their eggs at the bases of bindweed and the 
larvce live upon the roots of these plants; adult 
beetles injure potato vines by eating- the leaves. 

Control — Dip leaves and stems of plants before 
setting- in solution of arsenate of lead, i pound in 
10 gallons of water; delay setting of plants as long 
as possible. 

The STRIPED SWEET POTATO BEETLE*' (CaSSidci 

biz'itfafa) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Most abundant and injurious of all the "Gold- 
bugs" ; less than j4 ii^ch in length and of a dull 
brownish-yellow color with a faint golden lustre; 
there are two black stripes on wing-covers ; the 
eggs laid singly on under sides of leaves and each 
covered with a little black excrement ; larva is dirty 
white and bears spines along sides of body; there 
are two long spines, the anal fork, at end of abdo- 
men ; these carry the cast skins over the back ; pupa 
brown and retains the larval skins. 

Control — Dip plants as for flea-beetle and, in 
addition, spray in the field. 

The sweet potato weevil^ (Cylas fonuicaniis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This weevil is an imported species found in this 
country in eastern Texas, southern Louisiana, Mis- 
sissippi, Alabama, Florida, and in part of Georgia ; 
it passes winter as tgg, larva, pupa, and adult ; the 
weevils which are ant-like in appearance and about 
J4 of an inch long are blue-black with a red thorax 
and long proboscis; they lay their eggs in cavities 
in the stems or tubers of sweet potato plants where 

6 Smith— N. J. Expt. Stat., Bull. 229. 

■!- Chittenden — U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 1020. 



92 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

they hatch and the larvse tunnel through the tubers 
ruining- them ; the Hfe cycle is about 5 weeks in hot 
weather and there are several generations each sea- 
son. 

Control — Do not use slips or potatoes from 
weevil-infested localities; rotate crops and do not 
plant potatoes more than one year on same soil; 
burn or feed all infested tubers when crop is har- 
vested ; clean up all vines, culls, and rubbish in the 
fields; destroy volunteer sweet potato plants and 
morning-glory plants; spray potato plants with ar- 
senate of lead, 5 pounds to 100 gallons of water as 
soon as weevils appear. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SWEET 
POTATOES 

Golden tortoise beetle (Copfocycla bicolor). 
Black-legged tortoise beetle (Cassida nigripcs). 
Sweet potato plume-moth {PfcropJiorus niono- 

dactylus). 
Cutworms (Several species). 

CABBAGE PESTS 

The cabbage root-maggot ^ (PJwrbia brassiccc) 
Order — Diptera 

This pest is a small fly imported from F.urope; 
it attacks cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, and other 
cruciferous plants; it also attacks cabbage plants 
in seed beds and causes much injury. 

The flies appear early in the spring, first two 
weeks of May, and deposit their eggs in crevices 
in the soil close to the stem of the plant; they hatch 
in a week or ten days and the young maggots im- 
mediately burrow along the surfaces of the young 

8 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 78. 
Schoene — N. Y. State Expt. Stat, Bulls. 301, 334, 419. 



CABBAGE INSECTS 93 

roots and later into the main roots; the mas:^;Q'()ts 
complete their i^rowth in 3 to 4 weeks and pupate 
in the soil near the cahbage plants; the pupal stage 
lasts from 12 to 18 days and they pass the winter 
as pupai ; probably three broods and in some seasons 
a partial fourth brood. 

Control — For seed plants in beds, screen the 
beds with muslin; for plants in the field, destroy 
all cabbage, radish, and turnip stumps, leaves and 
refuse; plow in fall to destroy puparia; use tarred 
papers on plants in field; use carbolic acid solution 
and screens of muslin for radishes in garden ; helle- 
bore, I ounce to 2 gallons of water seems to control 
the fly on radishes. 

Cutworms on cabbages^ (Various species) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

There are many kinds of cutworms all larv?e of 
noctuid moths; these larv?e attack various kinds of 
plants and cause a great amount of injury; they 
remain in the ground mostly during the day and 
work mainly at night. 

The spotted cutworm moths are flying from late 
May to October ; they deposit their ribbed, hemi- 
spherical eggs singly or in clusters on the leaves 
of plants ; the eggs hatch and each cutworm, which 
is ashy gray to brownish in color with two rows of 
black spots on the back, becomes i^ inches long 
and feeds upon cabbage, tomato, turnip, onion, and 
other plants ; when it becomes grown it transforms 
to a pupa in the ground; there are probably tw^o 
generations annually and the partly grown cater- 
pillars pass the winter completing their growth in 
the spring; at this time they are voracious and cause 
much injury. 

Control — Do not follow sod with crops the cut- 

9 Gibson — Canad. Dept. Agr., Eat. Br., Bull. 10, p. 23. 



94 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

worms attack; plow land in August and allow it 
to lie fallow until the following^ spring; use poison 
baits of bran, arsenic, paris green, and molasses; 
hand-pick, etc. 

The imported cabbage-worm ^° (Pontia rapes) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This is the common white cabbage butterfly pres- 
ent all over the United States ; it was imported from 
Europe and first noted in Canada about i860 and in 
New York about 1868; it feeds on nearly every 
cruciferous plant. 

The butterflies appear in early spring and lay 
their eggs on the cabbage leaves ; the eggs hatch in 
4 to 8 days and the green velvety larvae complete 
their growth in ten days to two weeks and change 
to chrysalids ; this stage occupies one to two weeks 
in summer; the pup?e of the last brood in the fall 
remain over winter as such ; there are three or four 
broods here. The insect has many parasites and 
diseases that aid in holding it in check. 

Control — Spray the plants with a poison mix- 
ture before heading is far advanced; 5 pounds of 
paste arsenate of lead, 5 pounds whale-oil soap and 
100 gallons of water have given good results; when 
plants are well headed one may use hellebore. 

The cabbage aphid ^^ {Aphis hrassiccc) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This is a plant-louse imported from Europe. It 
is covered with a whitish powdery secretion; it in- 
jures cabbages, cauliflower, turnips, etc. 

In autumn the males and egg-laying females ap- 
pear and the latter deposit their dark brown eggs 
in great numbers on the cabbage leaves ; in the early 

10 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent, Circ. 60. 

^1 Herrick and Hungate — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 300. 



CABBAGE INSECTS 95 

Spring these hatch into the stem-mothers that Hve 
on the tender sprouts from the cabbag-e stumps; 
there is generation after generation of the winged 
and wingless aphids during the season until the 
sexes are produced again in the fall ; this aphid has 
many parasitic and predaceous enemies. 

Control — Destroy cabbage stumps and all refuse 
in the fail; spray plants with whale-oil soap or 
nicotine sulphate, three-fourths of a pint to too 
gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap added. 

The cabbage looper (AnfograpJia brassi'ccc) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

A very injurious species on Long" Island; it lacks 
some of the abdominal legs and therefore loops 
like a Geometrid ; the white ribbed egg is deposited 
on the leaves ; the larva at first is dark green with 
longitudinal white lines on sides of body; later it 
becomes pale green and lines become fainter; the 
pupa is in a thin white cocoon in fold of leaf on 
underside; apparently 3-brooded on Long Island; 
often injurious in greenhouses. 

Control — Same treatment as for other cabbage 
caterpillars but the looper is harder to hold in 
check; cleaning up the fields in the fall is important 
in order to destroy the pupae that pass the winter 
among the refuse. 

The harlequin cabbage bug (Murganfia his- 

trionica) 

Order — Hemiptera 

A very destructive Southern cabbage pest which 
has gained a foothold on long Island and is work- 
ing northward in Ohio ; has been found as far north 
as Elmira, N. Y. ; it lays its barrel-shaped eggs on 
leaves; they hatch in a few days and the nymphs 
complete their growth in mid-summer in probably 



96 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

about one month ; propably two generations in a 
season in the north. 

Control — Practice clean cultivation; plant early 
crop of mustard or radish as a trap crop and de- 
stroy the old bugs as they gather on this in the 
spring by spraying with pure kerosene and then by 
burning. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CABBAGE 

Imported cabbage web-worm {HcUitIa luidalis). 
Diamond-back moth (Plufella maculipennis) . 
Cross-striped cabbage worm {Evcrgcstis rimo- 
salis). 

Southern cabbage butterfly {Ponfia profodicc). 
Flea-beetles (Various species). 
Cabbage curculio {Cciitorhynchus rapcr). 

ASPARAGUS PESTS 

The asparagus beetle^" (Crioccris asparagi) 

Order — Coleoptera 

For two hundred years asparagus had no pests; 
now there are two beetles that work on it, both be- 
ing imported from Europe; the one here was first 
found in Queens County, New^ York, in 1862, but 
had probably been introduced about 1856. 

The beetles hibernate under rubbish and appear 
in May; they lay their eggs on the stems of the 
asparagus where they hatch into soft grubs; these 
eat the plants and in ten days to two weeks attain 
their growth and go into the ground to pupate ; in 
5 to 8 days the adult beetles appear, the whole life 
cycle occupying 3 to 7 weeks ; 2 or 3 broods a sea- 
son here. 

Control — Fland-pick in small beds; cut down 

12 Chittenden — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 102. 



ASPARAGUS INSECTS 97 

and destroy all volunteer plants in sprin^^- to force 
beetle to lay ^g'gs on new shoots which are cut often ; 
poison plants after cutting- with arsenate of lead 25^ 
pounds, and soap 4 pounds, to 50 gallons of water ; 
clean up rubbish. 

The 12-SPOTTED ASPARAGUS BEETLE ^^ {Cvioccvis 
diiodcciinpuiictata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This was not found until 1881 and then near Bal- 
timore; it is a less common and less injurious spe- 
cies than the former one but lives exclusively on 
asparagus; the adult beetles cause the injury. 

The beetle is reddish-orange and has six black 
dots on each wing-cover; the elongate oval green 
eggs are deposited on the plants in June; the egg- 
hatches in 7 to 12 days and the grub at once bores 
into a berry and usually enters about three berries 
before it becomes full-grown; when grown it pu- 
pates in the soil ; there are two generations here in 
New York, the first brood of beetles appearing in 
late July and the second in early September. 

Control — Same as for former species. 

The asparagus miner ^"^ {Agromy::a simplex) 
Order — Diptera 

The stalks of asparagus are often injured by the 
larva of a fly that mines beneath the epidermis; 
the mines are often so abundant that they have the 
efl^ect of girdling the stalk. 

The white eggs are stuck in the sides of the stalk 
just beneath the epidermis ; they hatch into the small 
maggots that mine up and down beneath the epi- 
dermis; when the larvae attain their growth they 

13 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent, Bull. 66, Ft. I. 

Fink — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 331. 
1* Fink— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 331. 



98 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

change to puparia ; the puparia are attached to the 
stalk near the ground in slits in the epidermis; 
there are two generations, the winter being passed 
as puparia at the bases of the old stalks. 

Control — Pull up infested stalks in spring and 
burn them ; allow volunteer plants to grow^ as a trap 
crop which should be destroyed in late June. 



CUCUMBER TESTS 

The striped cucumber beetle ^^ (Diabrotica vit- 

tata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

As soon as S([uashes, cucumbers, etc., appear 
above the ground in the spring they are attacked 
by a small yellow and black striped beetle; this 
beetle is distributed all over the United States east 
of the Rockies; it is native to this country; the 
beetles carry the organisms that cause bacterial wilt 
disease of cucurbits ; the bacteria of the wilt disease 
pass the winter in bodies of hibernating beetles. 

The beetles feed upon the leaves and blossoms 
and deposit their lemon-yellow eggs mostly in crev- 
ices of the soil near stem of plant ; the long, slender, 
whitish larvae attack the stems by burrowing into 
them. The larvae pupate in ground and the ])eetles 
hibernate over winter in sheltered places ; there are 
two generations a season. 

Control — Put in excess of seeds; protect plants 
with boxes or wire screen; hand-pick beetles in 
garden; dust plants with tobacco dust, ashes, or 
lime; spray with Bordeaux mixture and arsenate 
of lead or arsenate of lead alone; keep plants cov- 
ered with this material; practice clean culture. 

IS Chittenden — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 31. 



MELON INSECTS 99 

The squash bug ^" (Anasa fristis) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This is a large blackish-brown bug- about three- 
quarters of an inch long- that attacks cucurbits of 
all kinds; when it punctures a leaf to extract the 
juices it also injects a drop of licjuid which has a 
poisonous effect on the leaf; moreover, it carries 
bacteria of the wilt disease from one plant to an- 
other. 

The adult bugs appear in early spring and at- 
tack the plants; they lay their dark-brown eggs on 
the undersides of the leaves in great numbers ; these 
hatch in 8 to 13 days; the nymphs are green and 
black and abundant ; they molt five times and com- 
plete their growth in about one month; the adult 
bugs hibernate under trash, there being but one 
generation. 

Control — Trap old bugs in spring with chips or 
leaves placed under plants; hand-pick adults and 
eggs; kerosene emulsion diluted with 7 to 9 parts 
water will kill nymphs but not adults. 

SQUASH AND MELON PESTS 

The squash bug — Already discussed under cucum- 
ber pests 

The squash-vine borer ^^ (Melittia satyrini- 

formis) 

Order — Lepidoptera 

The parent moth is a beautiful clear-winged 
moth with a wing expanse of an inch to an inch and 
a half ; it is distributed all over the eastern United 
States ; it attacks squash, pumpkin, and occasionally 
melons, cucumbers, and gourds. 

16 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 39. 

17 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 38. 



loo INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The moths appear in July and deposit their eggs 
on all parts of the plant, but chiefly along the stems ; 
these hatch and the larva bores into the stem and 
then burrows along in the center of the stem caus- 
ing it to rot and become severed from the vine; an 
affected stem wilts and dies; the larva attains a 
length of an inch and becomes full-grown in about 
four weeks; it leaves the stem and goes into the 
soil to pupate, the pup?e remaining over until the 
following spring; one brood here. 

Control — Insecticides or repellants of little or 
no avail ; cut out the borers ; plant the early varieties 
as a trap crop, or plant late varieties as late as 
possible ; fertilize the soil well, and cover the plants 
at several joints where new roots can be formed; 
remove and burn vines as soon as crop has been 
secured to destroy eggs and larv?e; harrow soil in 
fall and plow deep in early spring to kill pupae. 

The MELON PLANT-LOUSE ^- {Aplus gossypH) 

Passes winter in egg stage; breeds throughout 
summer like other aphids; is more injurious farther 
South. 

Control — Spray thoroughly with nicotine sul- 
phate being sure to hit the undersides of the leaves. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CUCUMBERS 
AND MELONS 

Twelve-spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica 12- 
punctata). 

Squash ladybird (Epilachna horealis). 
Pickle worm (DiapJiauia nitidalis). 
Melon caterpillar (DiapJiaiiia Iiyaliuafa). 

18 Chittenden— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 914. 



ONION INSECTS 



ONION PESTS 



The onion maggot ^" {Hylcmyia aiifiqua) 
Order — Diptera 

The insect passes the winter mostly as piiparia 3 
to 6 inches below the surface of the soil; the flies 
appear in May and deposit their white egg's on 
leaves of the plants, or on the stems near the soil, 
or in cracks of the soil; the eg-g- hatches in 3 to 7 
days and the maggots feed on the young- onion 
bulb soon ruining it ; they obtain their growth in 
16 to 18 days and then pupate in soil; the pupal 
stage lasts 2 to 3 wrecks; there is evidently time 
for 2 or 3 generations in a season. 

Control — Scallions should be planted late in 
September or early October; sometimes of advan- 
tage to make a small early planting in August as a 
trap crop; sow late, that is, in latter part of April 
or early May and force crops ; rotate and get away 
from old infested fields ; practice clean culture ; use 
carbolic acid emulsion on onions in garden; use 
sweetened poison bait. 

The onion thrips ^" {Thrips fabaci) 
Order — Thysanoptera 

This is a very small insect that causes a good deal 
of annual injury to onions in the United States; it 
is widely distributed all over the country and hard 
to control. 

It passes the winter as adults and probably also 
as nymphs ; the eggs are laid in tissues of the leaves 
just under the epidermis ; they hatch in 3 to 4 days ; 
larval stage 7 to 9 days ; nymph stage 4 days ; whole 
life cycle 16 days; many overlapping broods; the 

^^ Gibson and Treherne^Canad. Dept. Agr., Ent. Br., Bull. 12, 
p. 29. 
20 Quaintance — Florida Bull. 46. 



102 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

adults and the young ones scarify leaves of onions, 
eating- off epidermis; leaves turn white, wilt and 
die; very injurious at times. 

Control — Clean culture in fields and around the 
borders of fields; spray with the tobacco extracts, 
nicotine sulphate, •)4 pint to lOO gallons of water 
and 4 or 5 pounds of soap, preferably whale-oil 
soap; spray thoroughly and repeat two or three 
times 4 or 5 days apart ; commence just as soon as 
thrips are seen. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ONIONS 

Black onion fly {Tritoxa flcxa). 
Cutworms (several species). 

TOMATO PESTS 

Cutworms (several species) 

Cutworms sometimes cut off the young plants 
when first set and destroy much more than they eat. 
A spoonful of the poison bait near each plant when 
first put out will aid in controlling these pests. 

Flea beetles 

The potato flea beetle often attacks tomatoes but 
may be repelled by thorough and frequent applica- 
tions of Bordeaux mixture. It should be sprayed 
on the under sides of the leaves as much as pos- 
sible. 

The NORTHERN TOMATO WORM ^^ {Phlcgcthoutius 

qiiinqucmacnlata) 

Order^Lepidoptera 

There are two large green caterpillars very simi- 
lar in appearance that attack tomatoes, one more 

21 Chittenden — Insects Injurious to Vegetables, p. 229. 



TOMATO INSECTS 103 

common in the North and the other more common 
in the South ; the caterpillar becomes about 3 inches 
long; the insect passes the winter in the ground as 
a pupa, the hrst moths appearing about June i ; 
they deposit their eggs on the leaves and the cater- 
pillars become grown in about 3 weeks when they go 
into the soil to pupate; the generations are some- 
what confused but there appears to be one in the 
North and two farther south each season. 

Control — Hand pick the larvae; spray with paste 
arsenate of lead, 5 pounds to 100 gallons of water 
or dust with powdered arsenate of lead, 3/^ to 5 
pounds to the acre. 

The TOMATO fruit-worm -" {HcIiofJiis obsolcfa) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This is the same as the corn ear-worm and boll- 
worm of cotton. It is more abundant farther 
south. The larva eats into the tomatoes and often 
destroys large numbers of them. 

Control — Plow land in fall or winter. Dust in- 
fested plants, especially the fruit, with powdered 
arsenate of lead. 

BEET AND SPINACH PESTS 

Beet leaf-miner ^^ (Pegomyia hyoscyami) 
Order — Diptera 

The parent insect is a fly about as large as a 
housefly; it passes the winter mostly as puparia in 
the soil; the flies appear late in April and in May 
and lay their eggs on the undersides of the leaves ; 
the eggs hatch in from 4 to 6 days and the maggots 
burrow into the leaf where they make blotch-like 
mines; they become full-grown in 7 to 14 days and 

22 Quaintance and Brues — U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 50. 

23 gickerson — N. J. Expt. Stat., Rept. for igii, p. 444. 



104 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

some pupate among or beneath decaying- leaves, 
while others go into the soil; the pupal stage lasts 
about 3 weeks; there are prol)ably 3 generations and 
perhaps a partial fourth. 

Control — In gardens pick off and burn infested 
leaves ; plow deep and harrow thoroughly as soon 
as crop is removed; with beets, use spinach as trap 
crop; destroy the wild food-plant (lambs-quar- 
ters). 

The spinach aphid ^* (My^iis pcrsiccc) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The spinach aphid feeds on over 100 plants; the 
adult is greenish-yellow to pinkish in color ; in 
colder regions the aphid passes the winter as an Qgg 
on fruit trees while in warmer localities it may pass 
the winter as an adult on vegetables; in summer 
there are many generations on the spinach and great 
injury often results. 

Control — No satisfactory method of control 
known. 

Spinach flea-beetle ^^ (DisonycJm 

xanthomclcvna) 

Order — Coleoptera 

A shining black flea-beetle with red prothorax 
and about y\ inch long; greatly injures sugar beets; 
beetles hibernate over winter ; lay eggs at bases of 
plants ; larv?e feed on underside of leaves and later, 
together with adults, eat holes in leaves ; two gener- 
ations at Washington, D. C. 

Control — Dust plants or spray them with ar- 
senate of lead; use Bordeaux mixture alone or with 
poison. 

24 Chittenden— Va. Truck Crop Expt. Stat., Bull. 2. 
s-"' Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 19. 



BEAN AND PEA INSECTS 105 



OTHiER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO BEETS AND 
SPINACH 

Beets, especially sugar beets, when grown under 
field conditions, are subject to the attacks of a large 
number of insects, many of which (40) are seri- 
ously injurious. The pests of garden beets are not, 
in the experience of the author, very numerous or 
very serious. 

Beet aphis (Pemphigus bctcc). 

Sugar-beet webworm (Loxostege sticticalis). 

Beet army- worm (LapJiygma exigiia). 

Striped beet caterpihar {Mamcstra trifolii). 

Flea beetles (several sps.). 

Beet leafhopper {Eiitcttix tenellus). 

Blister beetles (several sps.). 



BEAN AND PEA PESTS 

Pea WEEVIL"^ (Mylabrus pisorum) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Seed peas are often found with a hole in each due 
to the pea weevil; the weevil is about 1-5 of an inch 
in length and marked with brown and white spots ; 
passes winter as an adult and lays eggs singly in 
spring on pods in field; on hatching larva bores 
through pod and into the pea; every pea in a pod 
may be infested; the larva matures inside of the 
pea and the life cycle lasts from 40 to 50 days, de- 
pending on season ; one generation a year. 

Control — Hold peas over one season, so that 
they will become freed of weevils ; do not plant wee- 
villy seed ; plant late ; fumigate seed with Cs^. 

26 Chittenden— U. S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook 1898. 



io6 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Bean weevil -" {AcanthosccUdcs obtccfiis) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Adult beetle is about y(^ inch in length, with mot- 
tled wing covers ; eggs inserted in the bean pod 
through holes made by female; life cycle from 21 to 
80 days; probably 5 or 6 generations annually; it 
also breeds in stored beans. 

Control — No method of preventing injury in 
field ; fumigate stored beans and plant clean seed. 

The bean leaf-beetle^^ (Ccrotoma trifurcata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

A small reddish black-marked beetle about 1-5 
inch long; adults hibernate and lay eggs in cracks 
of soil in spring near stem of plant ; larvae feed on 
roots and stems but adults eat holes in leaves; life 
cycle from 4 to 9 weeks; in South 2 or 3 genera- 
tions, one in the North. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 5 pounds 
to 100 gallons of water. 

The pea aphid "^ {Macrosiplimn pisi) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Exceedingly injurious to peas some years in New 
York ; life cycle similar to other aphids ; passes win- 
ter in northern range on clover and vetches ; flies to 
peas in spring when these are available; several 
generations during season; goes back to clover in 
late season and lays eggs that pass winter ; in south 
it passes winter as winged and wingless females. 

Control — Do not plant peas near clover ; no sat- 
isfactory remedy on peas sown broadcast; plant 
peas in rows and brush lice off and bury in soil by 
cultivation. 

27 Chittenden— U. S. Yearbook, 1898. 

28 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 23. 

29 Davis— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 276. 



CELERY INSECTS 107 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO PEAS 

Cow-pea weevil (Pachymerus chinensis). 
Four-spotted bean-weevil {Pachymerus quadri- 
maculatus). 

Bean ladybird (Epilachna corrupta). 
Blister beetles (several sps.). 
Bean aphid (ApJiis runiicis). 
Seed-corn maggot (Phorbia fnsciccps). 
Pea-moth {Semasia nigricana). 

CELERY PESTS 

The celery caterpillar^*^ (Papilio polyxcucs) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This caterpillar is green or yellowish and ringed 
with black and spotted with yellow; it becomes 2 
inches long; when full-grown it changes to a chry- 
salis and later the parent insect, a large swallow- 
tail butterfly, appears. 

The celery looper-"^ (AitfograpJia falc'ujcra) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Where it occurs this insect is considered very de- 
structive to celery; the larva is a looper and meas- 
ures nearly 2 inches in length ; the moth is purplish 
to velvety brown and has a conspicuous silvery 
comma-like mark on each wing. 

Control — Hand pick and poison with arsenate 
of lead. 

The carrot rust-fly''" (Psila roscc) 
Order — Diptera 

This insect sometimes attacks celery and causes 
the leaves to turn reddish and the roots to become 

30 Davis— Mich. Expt. Stat., Bull. 102. 

31 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 33- 

32 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 33. 



io8 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

blotched with rusty patches. The magoots also 
tunnel through roots of carrots. The parent insect 
is a small fly only about i-6 of an inch in length. 

Control — Late sowing and rotation of crops; 
celery should not follow carrots; clean cultivation 
and destruction of all remnants and refuse after 
crop is harvested. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CELERY 

Celery leaf-tyer (PJiIycfccnia ferrugalis). 
Wire worms (several species). 
Tarnished plant-bug (Lygus praf crisis). 

Carrot and parsnip pests 

Celery caterpillar (Papilio polyxcncs). 
Parsnip leaf-miner (Acidia fratria). 
Carrot beetle {Ligyrns gibbosns). 
Parsnip webworm (Dcpressaria hcracliana). 
Carrot rust-fly (Psila roscu). 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO HOPS 

Hop-plant borer ^ (Gorfyna immanis) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This is a native insect that is often seriously in- 
jurious to hop vines in New York. It is distributed 
from Canada to Washington, D. C, on the south 
and westward to the Pacific Coast. 

The Hght-brown moth appears from the middle 
of August to the last of September and deposits its 
pinkish ribbed eggs in the leaf sheaths and on the 
leaves and stems of grasses growing in and about 
the hop yards; the eggs rest over the winter and 
hatch during late April and through May ; the lar- 
vae live for a time on the grasses but later go to the 
hops and some enter the heads where they cause 
"muffle" heads; others go to the stems and work 
downward to the roots where they eat out shallow 
grooves in the surfaces of the roots or burrow in 
the centers of the root; in from 9 to 12 weeks they 
mature and pupate in the soil, the moths appearing 
in August ; there is one generation a year. 

Control — Destroy all grass in and about the 
borders of the yards; pull out all extra vines be- 
fore June I and remove them some distance from 
the yard; try paradichlorobenzene, using a few crys- 
tals in each hill and covering with dirt. 

The iiop-plant louse- (Phorodon hinnuli) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This insect is widely distributed here and in Eu- 

1, 2 Hawley — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Memoir 15. 

109 



no INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

rope wherever the hop grows. It is often exceed- 
ingly destructive. 

The eggs are laid in the East in the fall on dif- 
ferent varieties of plums; in the West the aphids 
are said to pass the winter on hop roots; the eggs 
hatch in the spring, and the winged forms of the 
third generation go from the plums to the hops, 
where they live until fall. They multiply rapidly 
and sometimes cover the leaves and stunt the vines. 
At picking time a winged generation flies back to 
the plums and gives birth to the true females which 
lay the eggs. 

Control — Spray with nicotine sulphate, ^4 pi^'^t 
to I GO gallons of water, with 8 pounds of whale- 
oil soap. 

Hop-vine snout-motii ^ {Hypcna humuli) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The larv?e of this moth are sometimes exceed- 
ingly destructive to the vines which they soon de- 
foliate when abundant. It seems to have no other 
food plant than the hop and follows this plant in its 
distribution. 

The larvae are semi-loopers for they lack some of 
the prolegs; the pale green eggs are laid on the 
undersides of the leaves; the larvae eat the leaves 
voraciously; the larvae pupate in the ground, in 
crevices in the poles and in leaves; there are two 
generations a year, the last brood of moths hiber- 
nating in protected places. 

Control — Spray vines with arsenate of lead, 5 
pounds to 100 gallons, or dust vines with powdered 
arsenate of lead, 4 pounds to the acre. It can be 
mixed with sulphur which is used for the mildew. 

3 Hawley— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat, Memoir 15, p. -190. 



HOP INSECTS III 

Hop merchants "* (Polygonia intcrrogationis) 
{Polygonia comma) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The so-called hop merchants are simply the shin- 
ino- chrysalids of these two butterflies. The cater- 
pillars of each are covered with branching" spines 
and live upon the foliage of the plants. Both but- 
terflies have two generations but the first genera- 
tion of each is spent upon food plants other than 
the hop. The second oeneration of each is spent 
on the hop, the butterflies hibernating through the 
winter. Both butterflies show a dimorphism, the 
fall or winter forms di fleering from the summer 
forms. 

Control — Use the powdered arsenate of lead, as 
for the snout-moth. 

The hop redbug ^ (Paracalocoris Innvlcyi) 
Order — Hemiptera 

The insect winters as eggs in the bark or attached 
to the wood of hop poles; the eggs hatch through- 
out most of June and the red nymphs deform and 
stunt the vines and produce holes in the leaves ; the 
nvmphs attain their growth in about thirty days 
the adults appearing in August; there is one gen- 
eration a year. 

Control — Spray with nicotine sulphate, ')4 pi"^ 
to loo gallons of water with 4 pounds of soap 
added. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO HOPS 

Red Spider (Tefranychus fclarius). 
Hop flea-beetle (Fsylliodcs punctulata). 

4 Howard— U. S. Bu. Ent. Bull. 7. 

^ Hawley — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Memoir 15, p. 183. 



112 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Tufted looper (Ania limboda). 
Leaf hoppers ( Typhlocyba sps. ) . 

TOBACCO PESTS 

Tobacco fea-beetle "^ (Epitri.v parvula) 

Order — Coleoptera 

A small yellowish-brown flea-beetle about 1-20 of 
an inch long; it eats small cavities in undersides of 
leaves that finally become holes ; the beetles appear 
in the spring and lay their eggs on or near the soil ; 
they hatch in a week ; the larvae feed on rootlets and 
attain growth in about 2 weeks ; pup?e are found in 
the soil ; at least 4 broods in North Carolina ; adult 
weevils pass the winter. 

Control — Destroy all weeds of the potato fam- 
ily; in seed beds and in fields use arsenate of lead. 

Southern tobacco horn-worm '^ (PhlcgcfJioufius 

serf a ) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Large green worms with horn on posterior end 
of body; they eat ravenously and do much injury; 
when full grown go into soil to pupate; pupa large 
and proboscis forms a handle-like organ; life cycle 
in summer about six weeks in South; two broods; 
last brood passes winter in ground as pupce; the 
adult moth has wing expanse of about 5 inches. 

Control — Hand pick; dust tobacco with pow- 
dered arsenate of lead. 

Tobacco splitworm.^ (PJifJwnincra opcrcuJcUa) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Eggs laid on leaves of plant ; larvae mine between 

6 Metcalf and Underbill— N. C. Expt. Stat., Bull. 239. 

7 Morgan— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 123. 

8 Chittenden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 162. 



TOBACCO INSECTS 113 

the surfaces of the leaves ; two or more g'enerations 
in a season ; also works in tubers of potatoes. 

Control — Clean cultivation; rotation of crops; 
probably arsenical sprays. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TOBACCO 

Cut worms (several species). 
False tobacco bud worm (Hcliofhis ohsolcta). 
Tobacco bud worm (Chloridea viresccns). 
Tobacco "suck-fly" (Dicyphiis minimus). 
Cigarette beetle (Lasiodcrnia scrricornc). 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CEREAL CROPS 
WHEAT TESTS 

The HESSIAN fly ^ (Maycfiola dcstnicfor) 
Order — Diptera 

Probably the most injurious pest on wheat in the 
United States ; imported from Europe and first no- 
ticed on Long- Island in 1779 ; attributed to the Hes- 
sian soldiers in the Revolutionary W^v. Passes 
winter as pupa or full-grown larva between blades 
and stalk of young winter wheat just above the 
roots; adults appear in spring (May) and lay eggs 
on upper surfaces of leaves ; maggots hatch and go 
to the bases of leaves above first and second joints ; 
maggot stage 20 days or more ; changes to a pupa- 
rium and passes the summer as such in stubble ; fall 
flies appear in August and first days of September; 
these lay eggs and produce puparia which pass the 
winter again; some flies may issue before winter. 

Food Plants — Eggs often on grass but larv?e 
live only on wheat, barley and rye; so-called red 
wheat seems to be more exempt from injury than 
the white wheat (see Felt, U. S. Bull. 31, p. 22); 
drought prolongs the flaxseed stage greatly. 

Control — Burn stubble or plow under to destroy 
flaxseeds ; destroy volunteer wheat ; sow wheat late, 
not earlier than September 20th to escape deposi- 
ton of eggs by fall flies; sow strips of wheat early 
in August and then plow under or burn first week 
in September. 

1 Webster— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 70. 

114 



WHEAT INSECTS IIS 

The wheat midge " (Contarinia tritici) 
Order — Diptera 

An old European pest closely allied to the Hessian 
fly; the adult is bright orange colored and about 
one-third the size of a mosquito; the flies lay eggs 
in June between the chafl^ of wheat heads; eggs 
hatch in about a week, and the reddish-yellow mag- 
gots extract the juices from the kernels causing the 
latter to become much shrunken and worthless 
either for seed or for flour; these ''red-weevils" or 
maggots become full-grown in 3 or 4 weeks and 
some leave the heads, usually during- a rain storm ; 
these go into the ground and remain in cocoons 
until spring ; others remain in wheat heads and are 
carried into the thresher and come out in the screen- 
ings; they remain in the chafl: in a dried-up condi- 
tion until spring-; now occurs in nearly all the states 
east of the Mississippi; shrivelled kernels will not 
g'row good strong plants, nor make good flour, 
hence such had better be fed out; no varieties are 
exempt, but beardless varieties sufi^er more injury 
than the bearded. 

Control — Burn or feed out screenings; after 
harvesting, deeply plow under the stubble ; rotate 
the wheat to some distant field; early sown wheat 
may escape with less injury by the midge, but is 
more liable to the attack of the Hessian fly. 

The chinch-bug ^ ('Blissus lencopterus) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Not often injurious in the East ; has been injuri- 
ous over small areas in New York several times; 
two broods of the insect a year; winters in the stools 
of grasses in the adult stage. 

Control — Western methods of fighting the in- 

2 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bull. 13Z 

3 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 132. 



ii6 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

sect with barriers and fungus diseases ; consult bul- 
letins and circulars from the Kansas and Illinois 
Experiment Stations. 

WiREWORMS ■* (several species) 
Order — Coleoptera 

These pests are the larv?e or grubs of click-beetles 
of the family Elaterid?e; the grubs are yellowish, 
cylindrical, and hard like wire, hence the name 
wireworms ; these wireworms live two and in most 
cases nearly three years in the soil and near the end 
of the third summer they change to pupae in cells 
in the soil and later the pupae transform to the adult 
beetles which remain in their cells until spring, thus 
taking three years to complete their life history; 
the beetles lay their eggs at the roots of grasses or 
in the soil. 

Control — Difficult to control; conflicting evi- 
dence regarding coating of seeds ; plowing and thor- 
ough cultivation in August and later for 2 or 3 
years will kill the pupae and finally check the pests ; 
salt will not kill wireworms unless it is applied in 
such large quantities that it completely unfits the 
soil for growing crops, and even then is a doubtful 
killing agent. 

The wheat stem-maggot ^ {Meromyza 

amcricana) 

Order — Diptera 

The winter is passed as a larva; the adult flies 
emerge in May and deposit their eggs on wheat 
plants; second brood. of adults appears in July and 
deposits eggs on volunteer wheat and grasses; 
adults from these eggs emerge in late August to 

4 Comstock and Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 33. 
Hyslop— U. S. Bii. Ent., Bull. 156. 

5 Marlatt— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 132. 



WHEAT INSECTS 117 

October, and deposit eg'gs on young fall wheat 
plants, where they hatch into larvae and pass the 
winter ; the larvae do the injury to young plants in 
fall and spring. 

Control — Sow late as for Hessian fly. 

The greater wheat straw-worm ^ (Isosoma 

grande) 

Order — Hymenoptera 

This pest is mainly injurious west of the Missis- 
sippi, but is distributed east. 

The adults always small and frequently wingless, 
emerge in April from stubble and deposit eggs in 
stems of young plants in or just below the embry- 
onic wheat head; the larva eats out the embryonic 
head of the wheat plants and usually causes a slight 
enlargement of the stem ; adults appear from these, 
large and robust in June, and deposit eggs in stems 
just above the upper joints usually; by October the 
larvae pupate and pass the winter in stubble. 

Control — Burn stubble ; rotate crops. 

The WHEAT JOINT-WORM ^ (Isosoma tritici) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

First serious outbreak in Virginia in 1848-1854, 
and reappeared in Indiana, IMichigan, Ohio, Penn- 
sylvania, Virginia, and Maryland in 1904-1908. 

Lives over winter either as a larva or a pupa in 
wheat straws; adults appear in April or May and 
lay eggs in stems of plants at the joints; larvae form 
cells in stems and feed there until straw hardens 
and grain ripens ; the larvcC deform the straws, galls 
being formed above the joints; grains remain small 
and shrivelled or none produced; many of the af- 
fected straws break and fall over. 

<5 Webster and Reeves — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 106. 
7 Webster— U S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 66. 
Houser— Ohio Expt. Stat, Bull. 226. 



ii8 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Control — Strengthen fertility of soil to produce 
strong plants; burn stubble where not seeded or 
plow under deeply ; rotate crops. 

The army worm ^ (Heliophila unipuncta) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

For years there have been outbreaks of this pest 
in various localities in the eastern United States. 
Outbreaks in New York State in 1861, 1875, 1880, 
1896; the larv?e migrate in immense numbers from 
one field to another, destroying the vegetation in 
their path. 

The eggs are deposited in unfolded grass leaves 
or into the sheath of the leaf where it clasps the 
stem; the larvre attain their growth in about 30 
days and go into the ground to pupate; the pupal 
stage lasts from 12 days to 3 or 4 weeks depending 
on the season ; the winter is passed as larv?e ; there 
are evidently two broods, the July brood being the 
most abundant and injurious ; in the south there are 
more generations. 

Control — Usually fought by barriers in the 
same way as the chinch bug and l^y poison baits. 

Grasshoppers ^ 

There are several destructive species of grass- 
hoppers in the United States; perhaps the red- 
legged grasshopper (Melanoplus fcmur-ruhrum~), 
the differential grasshopper (Melanoplus diffcrcn- 
tialis), the lesser migratory grasshopper {Melano- 
plus atlanis), and the two-striped grasshopper 
(Mclanophts hivittatus) are the most generally dis- 
tributed of any of the injurious species. 

In general the eggs of grasshoppers are laid in 

8 Knight— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat, Bull. 2,7^. 

9 Herrick and Hadley — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 378. 
Walton— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 747. 



CORN INSECTS 119 

the late summer or early fall in the ground; the 
e^^s^s remain here until the following April, May, 
and June, when they hatch into the young wingless 
grasshoppers ; the young insects recjuire 70 to 90 
days to attain their growth; there is usually but one 
generation a year. 

Control — Destroy eggs by thoroughly disking 
or plowing the soil in which the eggs are deposited ; 
catch the young grasshoppers in hopperdozers; 
poison them by scattering broadcast the Kansas 
poison bait. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO WHEAT 

Spring grain-aphid {Toxoptcra graminum) . 
Wheat sawfly borer {Cephus pygmceus). 
Wheat sawfly (PacJiyncmafus extensicornis). 
Wheat-louse (NecfaropJiora avencs). 
Leather-jackets (Tipulidcu sps.). 



CORN PESTS 

WiREWQRMS (several species) 

These have been fully discussed under wheat 
pests. They are quite as injurious to corn as to 
wheat. In fact, they constitute one of the chief 
pests of corn in New York State. 

The army worm (Heliophiia unipuncfa) 

The army worm is injurious to wheat, corn, oats, 
and many other grains. There are occasional out- 
breaks of this insect in New York, which are often 
very serious. The season of 1914 witnessed some 
serious injuries by this insect. It has been dis- 
cussed under wheat pests. 



120 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Cutworms (several species) 
There are several species that injure corn as 
well as wheat. They are apt to be more abundant 
and severe on corn planted on sod. They have been 
discussed under wheat pests. 

White grubs (Phyllophaga sps.) 
These are injurious to many crops, notably straw- 
berries, wheat, corn and oats. They were discussed 
under strawberry pests. 

Sod web worms ^° (Cr ambus sps.) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

These are the larvse of a family of small moths of 
the family Cramhidcc; the larvae are about one-half 
inch in length and pinkish-red or brownish; they 
work at first underground gnawing away the outer 
surface of the stem and roots ; later, they burrow up 
the center of the stem ; they also sometimes eat the 
leaves; usually the webworms will be found just 
below the surface each in a retreat formed by 
loosely webbing together a mass of dirt ; within the 
mass is a silk-lined tube and within this a caterpil- 
lar; so far as known all of the species pass the 
winter as caterpillars not full grown; some have 
one generation and some two each year. 

Control — Break land early in fall or as late as 
possible in spring to destroy larvae. 

The corn billbug ^^ {Sphcnophonis callosus) 
Order — Coleoptera 

There are several species of snout-beetles known 
as "billbuo-s" that injure corn by eating cavities in 
the stem close to the ground or just below the sur- 
face of the soil ; the grubs also burrow inside of the 

10 Forbes— 23rd Kept. 111. State Ent, 1905. 

11 Satterthwaite — U. S. Dept. Agr., Far's' Bull. 1003. 



CORN INSECTS 121 

stem near the base and in the tap root; in general 
the beetles are robust, reddish-brown, or black, or 
clay-colored, and vary from ^ to -)^ of an inch or 
more in length ; perhaps the "curlew bug" or "rice 
bug" is the best known. 

The beetles hibernate and appear early in spring 
when they feed on grasses or corn; in May the 
beetle digs cavities in the stalks of young corn near 
or below the soil and lays her eggs in them; in 
older corn the eggs may be laid in the thick leaves ; 
the egg hatches in about a week and the grub bur- 
rows in the tap root ; in from 4 to 6 weeks the grub 
becomes mature and pupates in its burrow ; the pu- 
pal stage lasts 7 to 10 days ; there is but one genera- 
tion a year; the small blue-grass billbug (S. par- 
vulus) breeds in grasses, especially blue-grass and 
timothy; the clay-colored billbug (vS'. cequalis) 
breeds in coarse swamp grasses. 

Control — Sodland suspected of infestation with 
billbugs should be plowed in the fall or planted to 
some crop other than corn; in the south early 
planted corn is least injured; rotation of crops is 
advantageous. 

The corn ear-worm ^" (Hcliothis obsoleta) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The corn ear-worm, the cotton boUworm, and 
the tomato fruit-worm are all one and the same ; the 
life history of this insect has been discussed under 
cotton pests; in the case of corn the moth deposits 
her white eggs on the corn silk ; they hatch and the 
caterpillars enter the tip of the ear, where they 
gnaw and eat the kernels, sometimes burrowing 
down the whole length of the ear; they produce 
much brown excrement which lodges along their 

12 Quaintance and Brues — U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 50. 



122 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

burrows; the injury is often severe, especially far- 
ther south. 

Control — Dusting the ends of the ears with a 
mixture of powdered arsenate of lead, ^ poun^, 
and sulphur, % pound, has given fair results. 

The European corn borer ^^ (Pyrausfa nubilalis) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This insect has lately been discovered in the 
United States and is now knowii to exist in Massa- 
chusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and New 
York. 

The insect passes the winter as nearly full-grown 
caterpillars inside of cornstalks, cobs, weeds and 
grasses; during May the larv?e pupate in their bur- 
rows; this stage lasts from 14 to 20 days and the 
moths appear in May and June ; they lay their eggs 
in batches on the undersides of the upper blades of 
the corn; the larvae from these mature in about 4 
weeks and on the average pupate in July ; the moths 
from these appear the last of July or first of August 
and lay eggs which produce the caterpillars that 
pass the winter; this is the life history in eastern 
Massachusetts, but in' central New York there ap- 
pears to be but one generation. 

Control — Root up and burn the infested corn- 
stalks some time during the winter. 

The corn root-aphid ^^ (Aphis maidiradicis) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This aphid is closely associated with the corn- 
field ant (Laslus niger, var. americanus) , in fact, 
seems dependent on it for its existence; in the fall 
the egg-laying females deposit their eggs in the gal- 
leries of the ant's nests and the ants care for the 

i3Vinal and Caffrey— Mass. Expt. Stat., Bull. 189. 
1* Davis— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 891. 



CLOVER INSECTS 123 

eo-o's through the winter ; during- the latter part of 
March or first of April the eggs hatch and the ants 
transfer the young lice to the roots of smartweed, 
crabgrass, or purslane along which the ants have 
previously made galleries ; two or three generations 
of lice are produced here, but as soon as the young 
corn comes up the ants make tunnels along the roots 
of the corn plants and bring the lice over from the 
weeds ; during the season there may be many gener- 
ations of the lice; they suck out the juices of roots 
and starve the plants. 

Control — Rotation of crops is of advantage, no 
crop other than corn being attacked except cotton; 
dilute yi pound of oil of tansy with 2 quarts of 
alcohol and i quart of water and thoroughly mix 
this with 100 pounds of bone meal ; distribute it 
over an acre with a fertilizer attachment to the 
planter. 

The chinch bug (Blissus Icucoptcrns) 
The pest often attacks corn as well as wdieat and 
becomes very injurious where it is abundant. It 
has been discussed under wheat pests. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CORN 

Stalk-borer (Papaipcma nitcia). 
Seed-corn maggot (Plwrbia fusiceps). 
Northern corn root-w^orm (Diabrotica longicor- 
nis). 

Fall army worm (Laphygma frugipcrda). 

CLOVER AND ALFALFA PESTS 

Clover root-borer ^^ (Hylasfinits obscurits) 

Order — Coleoptera 
A small, dark-brown beetle i-io of an inch long 

1^ Folsom — Illinois Expt. Stat.. Bull. 134. 
Howard — U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 4. 



124 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

imported from Europe that works on second-year 
and older clover roots; eggs laid in May and June 
in cavities dug in the crown or in roots and larvae 
bore galleries in the roots, causing plants to wilt 
and break off at crown; pup?e form in cavities in 
roots and adults appear by October but remain in 
roots over winter, feeding when not dormant ; some 
of the larv?e also pass the winter in the roots; at- 
tacks alfalfa, red clover, mammoth clover and 
alsike. 

Control — Plow an infested field immediately 
after hay gathered; never allow clover to stand 
more than two years if it becomes infested. 

Clover leaf-beetle ^^ {Hyper a punctata) 
Order — Coleoptera 

A snout beetle which works on the leaves, mostly 
at night ; the grubs also work in a similar manner ; 
most of its injury is done in May and June; when 
full grown the grubs change to pupae in peculiar, 
yellowish lace-like cocoons of silk in the soil or at 
the bases of the plants ; beetles usually hibernate but 
many die before spring; larvae of all sizes pass the 
winter under debris among the plants on the 
ground; these complete their growth in spring and 
the beetles appear in June and July ; they do not lay 
their eggs until September; there is in the North 
usually but one generation. 

Control — A fungous disease usually kills the 
grubs in most localities; plow under the infested 
fields after second season, thus destroying the early 
stages of the insect. 

Clover flower-midge ^'^ (Dasyncura 
legmninicola) 
Order — Diptera 
This fly often prevents the formation of seed; 

16^ 17 FoLsom— Illinois Expt. Stat, Bull. 134. 



CLOVER INSECTS . i^S 

eggs are laid in green flower-heads and the maggots 
suck out the contents of ovary; when grown the 
maggots enter the ground and pupate; the insect 
passes the winter as a larva in the soil or in dead 
clover heads; there are two broods and a partial 
third; most damage to seed crop is done during 
August or first part of September; most injury 
occurs to second-year clover and keeps increasing 
as clover is allowed to stand. 

Control — Cut first crop of clover as early as 
possible to allow seed to form early ahead of second 
generation of midges ; pasturing the first crop does 
almost as well. 

Clover seed-ciialcid ^^ (BrucJwpJiagus fiiiicbris) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

This small wasp-like insect is one of our worst 
clover pests; the tiny larvae eat out the insides of 
the seeds leaving only a thin shell ; the insects pass 
the winter mostly as larv?e in the seeds on the 
ground; the adults appear about May 15th and 
thrust their eggs into the developing ovaries of the 
flowers of clover; second brood of flies appears in 
July and August; injury is greatest to the second- 
year clover. 

Control — Cut first crop early, as soon as the 
field comes into bloom ; plow up clover after second 
crop, plow early in spring. 

The alfalfa weevil ^^ (PJiyfonomus posticus) 
Order — Coleoptera 

An European snout-weevil first found injuring 
alfalfa in Utah in 1904; it is found in a small area 
in Utah, southern Idaho and southwestern Wyom- 
ing; the winter is passed as adults in the fields; in 

18^ 20^ 21 Folsom— Illinois. Expt. Stat, Bull. 134. 

19 Reeves, Miles, et al.— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 741. 



126 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

early spring the}^ lay eggs in the clover stems ; these 
hatch and the larvae mature in 29 to 58 days; each 
one spins a lace-like cocoon among leaves or rub- 
bish on the groimd; the pupal stage lasts 6 to 14 
days and the weevils of the new generation begin 
to appear in June ; these lay some eggs in the fall. 

Control — Spray fields as soon as the weevils 
begin feeding in April with arsenite of zinc, 4 
pounds to 100 gallons and put from 50 to 100 gal- 
lons on an acre; cut first crop by middle of May; 
brush-drag field to kill weevils. 

Clover seed-caterpillar -" (Enarmonia 
inferstinctana) 
Order — Lepidoptera 
The caterpillars of this niQth eat out cavities in 
the heads of clover and often become very destruc- 
tive ; there are three broods a season ; probably pass 
the winter as larvae occasionally, usually as pupae. 

Control — Cut and store hay crops early in June ; 
do not allow clover to run more than two years; 
pasture clover in fall of first year. 

Clover hay-worm "^ (Hypsopygia cosfalis) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

This hay-worm works in stacked or stored clover, 
eating much of it and contaminating much more 
with webs of silk and particles of excrement, mak- 
ing the hay unfit for fodder. 

Control — In a barn, old hay should be removed 
and burned if infested; a stack should be raised 
above the ground on old logs or rails; salt bottom 
of stack up two or three feet. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CLOVER 
AND ALFALFA 

Clover leaf-midge (Dasyneura trifolii). 
Clover stem-borer {Languria mo.'^ardi). 



COTTON INSECTS 127 

Clover sitones (Sifoncs Havescens). 
Clover-root mealy bug (Pscudococcus trifolii). 
Alfalfa looper (AufograpJia gamma calif ornica). 
Alfalfa caterpillar (Eurymus cnrythcmc) . 
Clover-root curculio (Sitones hispiduhis) . 
Alfalfa gall midge (Asplwndylia miki). 
Lesser clover-leaf weevil (Phyfonomus nigriro- 
sfris). 

COTTON PESTS 

Mexican cotton boll-weevil -- {Anthonomus 

grandis) 

Order — Coleoptera 

Introduced from Mexico about 1892; a grayish- 
black snout beetle, about Ys to 1-3 of an inch in 
length; punctures squares and bolls and deposits 
eggs in them; life cycle from 15 to 20 days; several 
generations in a season and all stages passed in 
squares and bolls ; passes winter as adults and 
causes millions of dollars loss each year. 

Control — Plant cotton early; plant early vari- 
eties and hasten maturity by fertilization and culti- 
vation ; plant wide in rows ; burn infested plants in 
fall to destroy all stages of weevil ; rotate crops and 
diversify; poison with calcium arsenate. 

Cotton worm "^ (Alabama argillacca) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The cotton moth lays its eggs on leaves of cot- 
ton ; the eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days ; young larva feeds 
for a time on the undersides of leaves but soon be- 
gins to devour leaves entirely; it molts five times 
and attains its growth in 2 or 3 weeks and then 
changes to a pupa in a flimsy cocoon in a leaf; life 

~- Hunter— U. S. Dept. Agr.. Par's' Bull. 344. 
23 Hunter— U. S. Bu. Ent, Circ. 153. 



128 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

cycle about four weeks on the average ; several gen- 
erations during a season; passes winter as adults in 
tropical regions south of the United States; mi- 
grates northward in spring. 

Control — Dusting cotton with powdered arse- 
nate of lead best method; this insect is now held to 
be of value in controlling the boll weevil and there- 
fore is not fought as it used to be. 

Cotton bollworm -^ (Hcliofhis obsoleta) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

One of the serious pests of cotton ; moth deposits 
ribbed eggs on leaves of cotton; larva feeds for a 
short time on leaves but soon bores into a boll where 
it destroys the lint ; life cycle about 30 days in sum- 
mer ; four generations a season ; passes winter as 
pupa 3 to 6 inches below the surface of the soil ; also 
attacks corn and tomatoes. 

Control — Use trap crops of corn; plough land 
thoroughly during fall and winter ; plant crop early 
in spring; rotate and diversify crops. 

The pink cotton bollworm -^ (PcctiiiopJwra 
gossypiclla ) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The parent is a small grayish-brown moth which 
probably came from India or Africa and is now es- 
tablished in Brazil, Mexico, and Hawaii; first found 
in United States in 191 7 in Texas. 

Eggs are laid singly or in groups on bolls and 
hatch in 4 to 12 days; the larv?e burrow in the bolls 
and become mature in 20 to 30 days; pupal stage 
passed inside of boll and lasts from 10 to 20 days; 
life cycle 35 to 50 days, and there are from 4 to 6 
generations a year ; winter is passed in larval stage. 

24Quaintance and Brues— U. S. Bii. Ent., Bull. 50. 

25 Busck— U. S. Dept. Agr., Jr. Agr. Res., Vol. IX, p. 343. 



COTTON INSECTS 129 

Control — No adequate methods of control 
known; attempts are bein^- made to exterminate in 
this country. 

The red spider-''' (TcfraiiycJius tclariiis) 
O r de r — Ac a r i n a 

The red spider has been reported on 183 species 
of plants many of which are cultivated forms ; it is 
a serious pest in greenhouses and one of the injuri- 
ous pests of cotton. 

The winter is passed in the south in the adult 
stage on several wild plants and especially on culti- 
vated violets; the eggs, laid on the undersides of 
the leaves of cotton, hatch in about 4 days and the 
female mite becomes mature in about 10 days; the 
first sprino- brood matures during March or early 
April in South Carolina and there is opportunity 
for from 12 to 17 broods. 

Control — Destroy all weeds, especially poke- 
weed, about the fields and plow fields in fall if 
possible ; destroy or spray cultivated violets ; watch 
for infested cotton plants early and pull them up 
and destroy them; finally spray cotton with potas- 
sium sulphide, i oz. to 2 gallons of water, or with 
lime-sulphur or flour paste, i pound flour to i gal- 
lon water made into a paste and then diluted at the 
rate of i part of paste to 9 parts of water. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO COTTON 

Cotton aphid (Aphis r/ossypii). 
Cotton root-louse (Aphis maidiradicis). 
Cotton stalk-borer (Ataxia crypta). 
Cotton stainer (Dysdcrciis sitfitrcUus), 

26 McGregor— U, S. Dept Agr., par's' Bull, 831. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO STORED 
GRAIN \ - 

It is estimated that stored grain insects cause an 
annual loss in this country of at least $200,000,000. 
They are more destructive in the southern United 
States although injury seems to be g-rowing more 
common in northern latitudes. Most of the stored 
grain insects in this country have been introduced 
from foreign countries. It is said that over fifty 
species live habitually or occasionally in stored 
grains and grain products. Not more than a dozen 
of these are of primarv importance. The more im- 
portant ones are: The Angoumois grain moth 
{Sitotroga ccrealclla) , the granary weevil (Calan- 
dra granaria), the rice weevil (Calandra oryacc), 
the saw-toothed grain beetle (Silvamts surinamcn- 
sis), the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephesfia kneh- 
niclla), the Indian meal moth (Plodia infcrpnnc- 
fella), the pea weevil (Mylabnis pisomm), and the 
bean weevil (Acanfhoscelides obtecfus). 

Control — One of the best ways to keep seed 
corn, seed peas, wheat, beans, etc., is to store them 
in barrels or tight boxes; fill the boxes or barrels 
within 4 or 5 inches of the top and cover; if wee- 
vils or moths get in them pour carbon bisulphide, at 
the rate of ^-^ teacupful to a barrel of grain, into a 
tin dish and set this on top of the grain and cover 
the box or barrel with old l)lankets; leave covered 
3 or 4 days; the liquid will evaporate and the gas 

1 Chittenden— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 45. 
^ Back and Duckett— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 983. 

130 



STORED GRAIN INSECTS 131 

will settle down through the grain and kill the in- 
sects ; do not go near the boxes with a light of any 
kind until the covers have been removed and the 
boxes thoroughly aired. 

In general, where bins or granaries are actually 
air-tight or nearly so, from 3 to 5 pounds of carbon 
bisulphide to 1000 cubic feet of space should be suf- 
ficient. Under ordinary circumstances from 15 to 
20 pounds per 1000 cubic feet are necessary owing 
to the cracks and openings.^ Best results will be 
obtained when the temperature is above 75° F. 

Within the last few years heat ^ has been used to 
exterminate stored grain insects, especially in flour 
mills. The radiation surface is increased until a 
temperature of 118° to 125° F. can be maintained 
for several hours. 

A very simple method of preventing injury to 
peas and beans is by the use of air-slaked lime.'^ 
For small quantities use four parts of lime to one 
part of seeds; for quantities from a peck to three 
bushels use equal amounts of lime and seeds; for 
larger amounts use one part by weight of lime and 
two parts of seeds. The seeds and lime should be 
mixed somewhat when ready for storage. 

INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GREENHOUSE PLANTS 

The greenhouse leaf-tier " {Phlyctaenia 

ferrugalis) 

Order — Lepidoptera 

The parent insect is a rusty-brown moth that lays 
its flat eggs in groups of 2 to 12 on the undersides 
of the leaves of greenhouse plants ; they hatch in 10 
to 12 days; the caterpillars are pale greenish-white 

3 Hinds— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 799. 

4 Dean— Kan. Expt. Stat., Bull. 189. 

5 Metcalf— Jr. Ec. Ent., Vol. X, p. 97. 



132 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC liAIPORTANCE 

in color with a narrow, dark-green stripe down the 
back and about -)4 of ^11 ii"ich long when mature; 
they tie the leaves together and feed on them, dis- 
figuring the plants ; the caterpillar becomes grown 
in from 15 to 20 days and pupates between two 
leaves or in a folded leaf ; in about one week the 
moth appears ; in greenhouses it breeds all the year 
and attacks chrysanthemums, geranium, cinerarias, 
sweet peas and other plants. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead, 2^ 
pounds to 50 gallons of water, as soon as the cater- 
pillars appear and hit the undersides of the leaves ; 
hand-pick the caterpillars. 

The GREENHOUSE white-fly'^ {Trialciirodcs 

vaporarioriim) 

Order — Hemiptera 

The adult insect has four pure white wings and 
is about 1-16 of an inch in length; the young insects 
are oval, flat, and whitish and cling closely to the 
undersides of the leaves where they suck out the 
juices. 

The small greenish eggs attached to the under- 
sides of the leaves hatch in about eleven days and 
the young insects attain their growth in from 3 to 4 
weeks ; there are several generations each year, and 
the injury often becomes very severe. 

Control — An all-night fumigation with hydro- 
cyanic acid gas, i ounce of cyanide to 3500 cubic 
feet of space, has given good results; it is neces- 
sary to fumigate at intervals of ten days to two 
weeks. Spraying with soap, i pound in 6 gallons 
of water is of advantage, but if the solution is ap- 
plied frequently the soap should be washed from 
the plants occasionally by spraying- w^ith clear 
water. 



GREENHOUSE PLANTS INSECTS 133 

The oblioue-];andi<:d leaf-rollkr '^ (Archips 

rosaccaiia) 

O r de r — Lepi dopter a 

The light-brown moth has three, more or less, 
dark-brown, broad oblique bands on each wing; she 
deposits her yellowish-green eggs in patches on 
the leaves; they hatch in 8 to 12 days and the green 
caterpillars eat the leaves and petals and buds of 
the rose and become grown in 3 to 6 weeks; each 
caterpillar pupates for tw^o weeks in a folded leaf ; 
there are at least two generations a season. 

Control — Hand-pick larvae; spraying with ar- 
senate of lead, 2 pounds to 50 gallons of water, has 
given good results where the plants were not too 
crowded. 

The rose midge *^ (Dasynciira rhodophaga) 
Order — Diptera 

The mosquito-like midge lays its eggs just under 
the sepals of the flower buds or between the leaves 
of the leaf buds ; they hatch in 2 days and the 
maggots ,suck the sap from the petals and leaves 
and become grown in from 5 to 7 days ; the}^ 
then go into the ground and pupate in tiny silken 
cocoons; the whole life cycle is passed in 12 to 16 
days. 

Control — In latter part of October cover 
ground all over in rose benches with tobacco dust 
%. to y2 inch in depth ; this will kill the maggots as 
they try to enter ground; fumigate house every 
night for two weeks and then every other night for 
a week with nicotine paper or nico-f ume ; spray dirt 
walks with 5% kerosene emulsion. 

c, 7, 8 Davis— 27th Rept. 111. State Ent, p. 98. 
9 Sasscer and Borden— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 778. 



134 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The chrysanthemum midge ^" (DiarfJiromyia 
hypogcca) 
Order — Diptera 
The chrysanthemum midge is a late comer to 
America and is already causing considerable in- 
jury; the small mosquito-like adult fly lays its tiny 
egg-s among the hairs on a leaf where it hatches in 
about 24 hours; the maggots cause galls on the 
leaves, petioles, or buds ; the galls may be so abun- 
dant as to cause malformation of plants, check 
growth, and prevent blooming. 

Control — A majority of the adult flies seem to 
issue after midnight ; therefore fumigation with nic- 
otine should be commenced at midnight and carried 
on every other night for 2 or 3 weeks; spraying 
with nicotine sulphate, i pint to 500 pints of water 
with an ounce of soap to each gallon, has proven 
effective; an application should be made every 
fourth or fifth day for a month. 

Scale insects and mealy bugs ^^ 
There are many species of scale insects that are 
injurious in greenhouses. The soft scale (Coccus 
hcspci'idimi ) that infests palms, croton, ficus, et al. ; 
the hemispherical scale (Saissetia hemispJicrrica) 
that occurs on palms, orchids, croton and other 
plants; the oleander scale (Aspidiotus hedercu), the 
fern scale (Hcniichionaspis aspidistrcc) and the 
white pineapple scale (Diaspis bromcllicc) are some 
of the more common ones. There are also two 
common species of mealy bugs that occur in green- 
houses on palms, coleus, umbrella plants, et al. 
These are Pscudococciis adonidum and Pseudoccus 
cifri. 

Control. OF scale insects — Whale-oil soap, i 

10 Guyton — Jr. Ec. Ent.. Vol. 12, p. 162. 
" Davis— 27th Rept. 111. State Ent., p. 122. 



GREENHOUSE PLANTS INSECTS 135 

pound to I gallon of warm water, is efficient for 
those species on palms, ficus and similar plants; it 
is unsafe on ferns ; fir-tree oil, i part to 20 parts of 
water, is useful for the species on ferns ; fumigation 
with hydrocyanic acid gas is most effective for the 
mealy bugs; one should consult Farmers' Bulletin 
880 of the U. S. Dept. Agr. 

The red spider ^" (Tcfranychus fclariits) 
Order — Acarina 

This pest has been discussed at length under pests 
of cotton ; in greenhouses it attacks the rose, violet, 
carnation, clematis, salvia, phlox, and other plants. 

Control — \\"ashing plants with clear water un- 
der pressure is one of the best methods of control ; 
ivory soap, ^ pound dissolved in 6 gallons of 
water, is very satisfactory; nicotine sulphate plus 
soap is also effective; fumigation with tobacco and 
painting pipes with sulphur are not effective. 

The greenitouse tiirips ^^ (HcIiofJin'ps 

hccmorrhoidalis) 

Order — Thysanoptera 

The adult is a tiny, dark-brown insect only 1-24 
of an inch in length ; the young are whitish at first 
but become reddish later ; they extract the juices 
from the leaves and the leaves become spotted and 
covered with drops of a reddish fluid excreted by 
the insects; the eggs stuck in the leaves hatch in 8 
days and the young become mature in 14 to 26 days. 

Control — Fumigation with nicotine papers or 
with volatile nicotine extracts is effective if carried 
on at night and repeated every week or ten days; 
fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas, i ounce so- 
dium cyanide to 1000 cu. ft., for carnations for i 
hour at a temperature of 54°, has been successful; 

12 Ewing — Oregon Expt. Stat., Bull. 121. 

13 Russell— U. S. Bu. Ent., Circ. 151. 



136 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

ill general, Y^ ounce sodium cyanide to looo cu. ft 
for I hour repeated in ten days is satisfactory. 
Some greenhouse aphids ^'^ 

There are two aphids, the ''black-fly" (Macrosi- 
pJiiuii saiibonii) and the green aphid {Aphis riifo- 
viaculata) that are sometimes present on chrysan- 
themums in large numbers and are decidedly injuri- 
ous ; so far as known these two aphids feed only on 
this plant and they often occur intermixed on the 
same plant. 

The rose is subject to the attacks of two species 
of plant lice, MacrosipJimn roscr, and Myzus ro- 
sarum; both of them are greenish in color and some- 
times the tender terminal shoots of the plants are 
covered with them. 

There are also two aphids that injure violets 
sometimes seriously; one of these, known as the 
"black-fly" {RJwpalosiphum violcu), is often abun- 
dant about the crowns of the plants; the other, 
known as the " green-fly" (RJwpalosiphum persi- 
ccr), frequents all parts of the plant. 

The carnation is often badly injured by the com- 
mon green aphid (Myciis pcvsiccc) which is so 
abundant on greenhouse plants and many outdoor 
plants. 

Control of greenhouse aphids — For some 
aphids ivory soap, I pound to 6 gallons of water, is 
a simple, safe remedy ; for others, nicotine sulphate, 
I teaspoonful to a gallon of water, with about an 
ounce of soap added, is efficient; fumigation with 
nicotine papers or some of the volatile nicotine so- 
lutions is satisfactor-y if care is taken to use the 
right amount for a given space and the house is 
tight ; fumigation with hydrocyanic gas is effective 
if correctly done. 

14 Davis— 27th Kept, 111. State Ent., p. Ii6. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SHADE TREES 

The elm leaf-beetle^ (Galerucella lufeola) 
Order — Coleoptera 

Introduced from Europe and first found here in 
1834 in Baltimore; the beetle is about one-fourth 
of an inch long, brownish-yellow in color with a 
dark line along each side of its back; the adults and 
larvae eat the leaves and defoliate the trees. 

The full-grown beetles hibernate in cracks and 
crevices, especially in attics of houses, and appear 
in spring as the leaves are putting out; they lay 
their orange-colored eggs on the undersides of the 
leaves; these hatch in 5 or 6 days; the grubs eat 
the leaves and mature in 15 to 20 days and pupate 
at the bases of the trees on top of the ground ; in 6 
to 10 days the adults appear and in New York there 
is a second generation. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead as trees 
come in full leaf for the beetles and again about 3 
weeks later for the grubs ; use 3 to 4 pounds to 50 
gallons of water; the Gypsy-moth Commission 
sprays but once and uses 5 pounds to 50 gallons; 
they spray as soon as trees come into good leafage. 

The elm leaf-miner ^ (Kaliosysphinga ulmi) 
Order — Hymenoptera 

The leaf-miner is another European insect but it 
works on Scotch and English elms; it is a sawfly 
and the larvae "blister" and kill the leaves; the 
adults are small, shining black sawflies, about one- 
eighth of an inch long. 

1 Herrick — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 333. 
Felt— Bull. 20 of the N. Y. State Museum. 

2 Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat, Bull. 233. 
Herrick — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 333. 



138 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

The eggs are laid in May beneath the epidermis 
of the leaves and the larv?e mine in the tissues of 
the leaf making large irregular mines or "blisters" 
in the leaves; they become mature in July and go 
into the ground where they make thin papery co- 
coons and remain in them until next spring; they 
then change to pupcT and the flies appear in May; 
only one generation. 

Control — Spray the leaves just as the mines be- 
gin to show, about first of June, with nicotine sul- 
phate, I pint to 100 gallons of water with 5 pounds 
of soap. 

The white-marked tussock-moth ^ (Hcnicro- 

campa leiicostigma) 

Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 310 

The tussock moth is a native insect that is very 
injurious at times to shade-trees and fruit-trees; 
the larva is very striking in appearance; it is two 
inches long and bears four tufts or tussocks of 
creamy white hairs on its back with two long pen- 
cils of hairs on its head and a third on the posterior 
end of the abdomen. 

The moth lays its eggs in whitish masses in sum- 
mer on the trees ; they remain here until the follow- 
ing spring and then hatch into the caterpillars that 
strip the trees of foliage; these caterpillars often 
migrate from tree to tree; when full-grown they 
make cocoons on the trees and change to pupae ; one 
brood a season except in extreme southeastern part 
of State. 

Control — Collect egg masses during fall and 
winter ; spray trees with arsenate of lead, 3 pounds 
to 50 gallons ; band trees with cotton in June, July, 
and August. 

3 Howard— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. gg. 



SHADE TREE INSECTS 139 

The fall web-worm ^ (HypJiantria textor) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 321 

This is a typical American species and found 
from Canada to Texas; it has been recorded as 
feeding upon 120 species of trees; the moths are 
white or spotted with black and conspicuous; the 
larvse make ugly silken nests all over affected trees. 

The moths lay 400 to 500 eggs in clusters on the 
leaves ; the caterpillars feed in masses and spin webs 
enclosing leaves; they pupate in cocoons just below 
the surface of the soil or on ground under trash or 
about trunks of trees; farther south there are two 
broods, but only one in central and northern New 
York; the pupae pass the winter in cocoons. 

Control — Cut out nests of larvre; spray with ar- 
senate of lead around the nests of the larvae. 

Bronze birch-borer ^ (Agrilus auxins) 
Order — Coleoptera 

This is a small olive-bronze colored beetle about 
one-half an inch long that is killing so many of the 
white birches in New York State. It attacks the 
top branches first but gradually spreads to all parts 
of the tree. The larvae bore through the sap-wood 
just beneath the bark and sometimes deeper into 
the solid wood. The larvae pupate in cells beneath 
the bark and in May or early June the beetles make 
half-round exit holes in the bark and emerge 
through these. 

Control — The only way of arresting the spread 
of the pest and stopping the death of healthy trees 
is to cut down and burn the infested ones before 
May first. 

* Felt — Insects Affecting Park and Woodland Trees, Vol. I, p. 142. 
= Slingerland — Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 234. 



140 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Willow and poplar borer*' (Cryptorhynchns 

la pat hi) 

Order — Coleoptera 

This is a beetle somewhat resembling the plum 
curculio, but much larger, that is becoming a seri- 
ous menace to poplar and willow trees both in the 
nursery and on the lawn. The larvse bore through 
the wood finally causing the death of the tree. The 
presence of the larvae is indicated by the appearance 
of sawdust and particles of excrement thrown out- 
side; the yellowish eggs are laid, each in a cavity 
dug in the bark ; it hatches in 2 or 3 weeks and the 
partly grown grub passes the winter just beneath 
the outer bark and completes its growth the next 
spring, the adult beetles appearing during the lat- 
ter part of July ; there is one generation. 

Control — Apply an emulsion of carbolineum 
avenarius to the trunks of trees to a height of 4 or 5 
feet from ground; to make emulsion, dissolve i 
pound of sodium carbonate in i quart of hot water 
and add i quart of the carbolineum; stir vigorously 
and take i part to 2 parts of water. 

Hickory bark-borer '^ (Scolyhis qnadrispinosus) 
Order — Coleoptera 

The adult is a small brown or black beetle about 
one-fifth of an inch long ; the leaves wilt and twigs 
die in midsummer and the bark will be found full 
of small shotlike holes through which the beetles 
have emerged ; it is a serious pest to hickory trees. 

The beetles appear last of June to last of July; 
they bore in young twigs, terminal buds and green 
nuts; females make galleries just under bark in 
sapwood and lay eggs in niches along the sides ; lar- 

6 Matheson— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 388. 

'^ Felt — Insects Affecting Park and Woodland Trees, Vol. I, p. 275. 



SHADE TREE INSECTS 141 

Vc-E tunnel through sapwood and kih trees; gruhs 
pass winter nearly full grown in galleries under 
bark. 

Control — Cut out badly infested trees and af- 
fected portions of others and burn before June. 

The snow-white linden moth ^ (Ennomos 

suhsignarius) 

Order — Lepidoptera 

Half a century ago this insect was a pest of 
shade-trees in Brooklyn and Philadelphia; became 
abundant again in 1907, and then was injurious in 
forests of New York for four years ; the moths are 
pure white and have the habit of appearing in enor- 
mous numbers around lights in cities where their 
appearance has been compared to snowstorms. 

Eggs are laid on branches in masses of 20 to 100 
or more in June and July; hatch the next spring in 
April and May ; caterpillars strip leaves and mature 
in June and July and pupate in loose cocoons on 
leaves; moths appear from middle of June to last 
of July and soon deposit eggs; one brood a year. 

Control — On fruit trees spray with arsenate of 
lead, 2^ pounds to 50 gallons of water; no control 
for forest trees known. 

The brown-tail moth " (Euprocfis chrysorrlioca) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

Probably introduced from Holland on shipments 
of roses by nursery in Somerville, Mass., about 
1893; now in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con- 
necticut, New Hampshire and Maine; the larvae 
feed on pear, apple, cherry, peach, and other fruit- 
trees and on forest-trees; the moths are pure 
white w^ith a tuft of brown hairs on end of abdo- 
men, hence name, "brown-tail" moths; the hairs of 

8 Herrick— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 286. 



142 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

the larvae are brittle and barbed and when they 
strike the skin cause a nettle or rash quite serious to 
some people. 

Eggs laid in July in masses of 200 to 400 on 
leaves and covered with brown hair from body of 
female ; they hatch and the larvre feed in groups on 
leaves until fall when they go into hibernation in 
hibernacula made by webbing many leaves together, 
at the ends of branches ; in the spring they eat leaves 
again and become full-grown latter part of June; 
pupate in cocoons in crevices of bark and other 
nooks; moths appear in July; one generation a sea- 
son. 

Control — Spray with arsenate of lead for cater- 
pillars 3 to 5 pounds to 50 gallons of water ; cut out 
nests of larv?e during dormant period of tree. 

The gypsy moth ^^ (PortJictria dispar) 
Order — Lepidoptera 

The gypsy moth gained a foothold by the escape 
of larv?e or eggs from breeding cages at Medford, 
Mass., about 1869; now found in Connecticut, 
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and 
Maine; the female moth has light buff wings 
marked with dark, wavy lines while the male is 
light brown in color. 

Eggs laid in clusters of 300 to 400 in July and 
covered with hair ; they are deposited in crevices 
of bark, brush piles, stone-walls, etc., and hatch 
the next spring in May ; larvcC mature last of June 
and first of July and pupate in various places in 
thin network of silk ; the moths appear in July and 
deposit eggs; only one generation a year; the food 
plants are almost all trees, especially apple, oak, and 
willows. 

9, 10 Rogers and Burgess^-U, S, Bu, Ent., Bull. 87. 



SHADE TREE INSECTS 143 

Control — Spray trees with arsenate of lead, 3 
to 5 pounds to 50 gallons of water ; burlap trees for 
hiding- places for larv?s and then kill the caterpil- 
lars ; tanglefoot of use in catching larvae ; treat egg- 
clusters with crude coal-tar creosote blackened with 
lampblack to tell what ones have been treated. 

OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO SHADE 
TREES 

Pigeon horn-tail {Trcmcx cohimha). 
Maple borer (Plagionofits speciosiis). 
Elm borer {Sapcrda fridentafa) . 
Maple scale (Pnhinaria vitis). 
Leopard moth {Zeusera pyrina). 
Locust borer (Cyllene robinicc). 
Forest-tent-caterpillar {Malacosoma dissfria). 
European elm scale (Gassy paria spuria). 
Evergreen bagworm {Thyridopferyx cphcmercc- 
f or mis). 

Spruce gall louse {Chcrmcs abietis). 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FARM ANIMALS 
SHEEP PESTS 

Sheep botfly or head maggot ^ {CEstrus ovis) 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 478 

The adult insect is a two-winged fly that deposits 
living maggots in the nostrils of sheep ; the maggots 
pass upward into the nasal sinuses ; accounts record 
the presence of the maggots in the brain ; the mag- 
gots attach themselves to the delicate membranes 
by means of two hooks and feed upon the mucous 
secretions, causing catarrh and staggers ; when full- 
grown the maggots are sneezed out through the 
nostrils and go into the ground to undergo their 
transformations; the flies are most active in June 
and July; the maggots live in the nose about ten 
months; the adults have no functional mouth-parts 
and do not feed. 

Control — Plow a piece of land in pasture and 
harrow until fine and dusty for sheep to stand on; 
smear noses often in summer with equal parts of 
tar and grease; bore holes in a log and put salt in 
them after which smear edges of holes with tar and 
grease; no medicine will reach grubs; do not use a 
wire in nostrils. 
Itch or scab - (Psoropfes communis var. ovis) 
Order — Acarina 

Sheep scab is strictly a contagious disease and is 
responsible for much loss among western sheep 
growers, through death of animals and damage to 

1 Osborn— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 5, p. 102. 

2 Salmon and Stiles — U. S. Bu. An. Ind., Bull. 21. 
Imes — U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 713. 

144 



SHEEP INSECTS 14S 

wool; also exporters suffer loss because American 
live stock are prohibited from Europe. 

Scab is caused by small mites that work in the 
skin causing the wool to fall off and producing large 
scabs over the body; there are four varieties of 
mites that work on sheep and cause scab — the mite 
causing the common or "body scab"; the mite caus- 
ing the "head scab"; the mite causing the "foot 
scab"; and the mite causing the "follicular scab" 
affecting the eyelids. 

The common or body scab is a severe itching dis- 
ease and occurs most often on the backs and sides 
where the wool is longest; it is the worst form of 
the disease in this country ; the mites multiply with 
wonderful rapidity; one female lays 15 to 24 eggs 
which hatch in a few days, and in 15 days the young 
become adults ; in a few months a single female can 
produce an enormous number of progeny. 

Control — When far advanced, soften the scab 
with some kind of grease or oil, and then apply 
some of the common "sheep dips"; the active in- 
gredients in most "dips" are tobacco, arsenic and 
carbolic acid; each sheep will require from a quart 
to a gallon; use the dip at a temperature of 100 de- 
grees in summer and 10 degrees warmer in winter; 
a simple method of treating a few sheep is to turn 
them on their back and pour the dip along the mid- 
dle line of the venter; where large numbers are to 
be dipped, special tanks are made ; a kerosene emul- 
sion is also a good sheep "dip" ; a second or third 
dipping may be necessary, as the dips do not often 
kill the eggs, and another brood may appear later. 

The sheep "tick" ^ (Melophagus ovinus) 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 488 

A curious, degraded, wingless insect belonging 

3 Imes— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 798. 



146 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

to the same order as the gad-flies and the common 
housefly ; it is thus not a true tick ; very common on 
sheep, but seldom causes serious injury to old sheep; 
lambs are often worried and hindered from ac- 
quiring- fat; the "ticks" cling very tenaciously to 
the skin and suck the blood; the eggs are hatched 
within the body of the flies, and the maggot is 
nourished there until it is nearly full-grown, and 
is not born until it is nearly ready to change to a 
pupa ; it is stuck to the fibers of wool ; each fly pro- 
duces from two to fifteen of these brown puparia, 
one-third as large as the mother fly; they are laid 
in the wool to which they adhere, and they give out 
the adult fly in about three weeks; the "ticks" are 
most numerous in the spring, cause much irritation, 
and hinder young lambs from making their normal 
growth ; their whole life is spent on the sheep. 

Control — Keep the pen clean; after shearing, 
apply any of the standard "dips" or kerosene emul- 
sions. 
The sheep louse (TricJwdcctcs sphccroccphahis) 

A biting louse that works at the base of the wool; 
not often abundant. 

CATTLE PESTS 

The ox warble, or botfly ^ (Hypoderma lincata) 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 478 

The ox botfly is widely distributed in this coun- 
try and Europe; it is found on the bufl-'alo (Bison) 
here; it causes much loss by aft'ecting the general 
health of animals and also by its perforations of 
hides, thus lowering -their value; there is a second 
species in this country, the European botfly {Hypo- 
derma boris) which is very similar in appearance 
and habits. 

4 Hadwen— Canad. Dept. Agr., Sc. Ser., Bull. 2i. 
Hadwen and Bruce— Canad. Dept. Agr., Sc. Ser., Bull. 22. 



CATTLE INSECTS I47 

The adult flies are al:»out one-half inch in length 
and bee-like in appearance ; the eggs are laid on the 
hair around the heel and on the lower part of the 
leg, and on other parts of the body; they hatch in 
4 to 7 days and the larvcX bore directly down a hair 
follicle and get beneath the skin; they work their 
way along beneath the skin to the oesophagus ; from 
here they work down to the diaphragm, up a rib, 
and finally to the back beneath the skin; there the 
larvjE produce swellings or warbles and after com- 
pleting their growth wriggle out and go into the 
ground in the spring; here they change to pupcX and 
finally the adult fly appears ; the flies seem to annoy 
cattle very much although they do not bite or sting ; 
5070 of the cattle in the Mississippi Valley are af- 
fected. 

Control — Apply kerosene or grease to the 
"warbles" in the winter, or as soon as noticed; this 
will close up the breathing holes of the maggots and 
cause their death; remove by squeezing or other- 
wise, the maggots from the "warbles." 

The horn-fly ^ (Hcrmatobia scrrata = Lyperosia 

irritans) 
Order — Diptera 

The horn-fly is another importation from Eu- 
rope; it came to America in 1886 and landed near 
Philadelphia apparently; it is now distributed all 
over the country; the adults are about half as large 
as the house-fly; they annoy cattle very much and 
cause a large loss to the milk supply. 

The flies lay their eggs in fresh cow droppings ; 
the maggots attain their growth there in a few 
days and burrow just beneath the surface of the 
earth and change to pup?e ; the adults soon appear ; 
the whole life cycle may be gone through in two 

5 0sborn— U. S. Bu. Ent, Bull. 5, P- iM- 



148 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

weeks and there are four or five broods in a season. 
The adults have a habit of gatherino- on the bases 
of the horns but cause no injury at this place; the 
flies are common from May until frosts of autumn. 
Control — Almost any greasy substance, like 
axle grease, fish oil, kerosene emulsion, crude pe- 
troleum, etc., applied to the afiiicted parts will keep 
the flies away for several days; where sores are 
formed, add a little carbolic acid to the grease or 
oil; tobacco powder will kill the flies if it is dusted 
on them ; spread out or mix lime with the fresh cow 
droppings ; spray cows with crude petroleum. Also 
see repellant mixtures, p. 152. 

Sucking cattle lice" {Hccmatopinus eury- 

sfernus) 
(Linogna thus vituU ) 
Order — Hemiptera 

There are two species of sucking lice, the short- 
nosed ox louse and the long-nosed ox louse; they 
are apt to be abundant especially on calves and on 
poorly cared for and ill-fed cattle; on these they 
may cause injury. 

The eggs are attached to the hairs of the animal 
and the voung lice graduallv develop to the adults. 

Control — An infusion of stavesacre seeds seems 
to be the most accepted remedy. Four ounces 
stavesacre (Delphinium) seeds, i ounce white helle- 
bore boiled in i gallon of water until only 2 quarts 
remain and applied with a brush where lice are 
seen; kerosene emulsion, 15%, or crude petroleum 
rubbed in among the hairs; 2 or 3 applications of 
either at an interval of one w^eek; raw linseed oil 
has been recommended; it is applied with a brush 
but one must not rub too vigorously. 

6 Imes — U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 909. 
Lamson — Conn. (Storrs) Expt. Stat., Bull. 97. 



CATTLE INSECTS 149 

The biting cattle louse ^ (Trichodecfcs scalaris) 
Order — Mallophaga 

This species of louse is common the world over 
and is often very abundant; they do not seem to 
be as injurious as the sucking lice attributable to 
the fact, probably, that they do not suck blood ; they 
are smaller than the sucking lice; they are gener- 
ally found in more abundance in the spring of the 
year ; at this time eggs and adults are easily found. 

Control — Same as for the sucking: lice. 



^t5 



Southern cattle tick ^ (BoopJiilus annulatus) 
Order — Acarina 

One of the ticks, thus not a true insect. It is the 
carrier of Texas fever, a blood disease caused by 
a minute protozoan parasite working in the red 
blood corpuscles; the ticks drop from the cattle 
when full grown and lay eggs, sometimes as many 
as 3000 among the grass; the young ticks which 
hatch must find their way to the cattle to live, and 
these young ticks will introduce the disease to 
healthy stock; infested Southern cattle often intro- 
duce the disease into Northern herds, but as our 
cold winters kill the ticks, the disease disappears 
unless reintroduced in Southern ticks brought north 
the next season. 

Control — Thoroughbred Northern cattle are 
now taken south and there inoculated and only a 
mild form of the disease produced: the ticks are 
now being gradually exterminated from the coun- 
try by dipping infested cattle in an arsenical solu- 
tion at certain intervals throughout the season. 

7 Osborn— U. S. Ru. Ent., Bull. s. n. 209. 

8 Mohler— U. S. Bii. An. Ind., Bull. 78. 

Ellenberger and Chapin — U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 1057. 



ISO INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

PESTS OF HORSES 

Botfly " (Gasfrophilns intcstinalis) 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 477 

The adults are about three-fourths of an inch 
long and rather light brown in color; the fly does 
not bite or sting yet many horses are much worried 
by its presence; authorities diiTer as to injury by 
the bots; they may irritate the stomach; may ab- 
sorb much nutriment from the stomach contents, 
and cause irritation in the intestines. 

The fly attaches its eggs to the hairs on the legs 
and shoulders of horse; eggs licked off by horse 
and carried to stomach where the maggots or "bots" 
attach themselves to the walls of this organ; they 
usually spend several months in the digestive or- 
gans; probably not more than one maggot in fifty 
ever reach stomach; they live in the dung during 
May or June, go into ground and pupate. 

Control — Shave off the eggs with a sharp knife 
or razor once in two weeks at least; kill eggs by 
running over them lightly with carbolic acid, 2 per- 
cent phenol. 

The throat botfly ^^ {Gastrophihis nasalis) 
Attaches its eggs to the hairs of the lips and 
nostrils and to the hairs of the throat. 
Control — Same as foregoing species. 

Horsefly or gadfly ^^ (Tabanns atrafus) 
Order — Diptera 

A large black fly that flies swiftly, bites fiercely 
and is a persistent enemy of horses and cattle ; eggs 
have been found attached to leaves overhanging 
water; larvae live in marshy ground and along 

9. 10 Dove— U. S. Bu. Ent., Bull. 597- 
" Garnian— Ken. Expt. Stat., Bull. 151. 



SWINE INSECTS 151 

streams ; these flies often become abundant and in- 
jurious to cattle and horses but they do not produce 
"warbles" or bots. 

Control — Success has been obtained by putting- 
kerosene oil on pools of water frequented by these 
flies. They are killed by coming in contact with 
the oil. Certain repellant mixtures may be put on 
cattle but difficuh among- large herds. Nets on 
horses are a protection. 

A PEST OF HOGS 

The iiog louse ^- (Hccmafopinus uriits) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Occasionally this species appears in g-reat num- 
bers on swine; a full-grown louse measures one- 
fourth inch or more in length; it is gray in color 
and has sucking mouthparts. 

Control — Washes of dilute carbolic acid (ito 
30) or the tobacco extracts or kerosene emulsion 
will control these lice; a wallowing trough of ce- 
ment with a film of oil on top is a very good method 
of control. 
OTHER INSECTS INJURIOUS TO LIVE STOCK 

Turkey gnat (black-fly) (Smmliitm mcrid ion- 
ale). . 

Buffalo gnat (black-fly) {Simuhnm pccuarum). 

Brown gad-fly (Tabanus cxid). 
ERY-f\y(Chrysops znttaUis) . 
Stable' fly (Siomoxys calcitrans). 
Screw-worm fly (Parahicilia maccllaria). 
Lone star tick {Amhly omnia nnipuncta). 

■ Repellants for flies on live stock 
Many mixtures have been recommended for ap- 

12 Lewis— Oklahoma Expt. Stat, Bull. 72. 



152 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

plication to horses and cattle to protect them from 
the attacks of flies. No one of these repellants has 
proved entirely satisfactory because of the trouble 
of application, the transitory effectiveness of the 
material, and the possibility of injury to the animal 
to which the mixture has been applied. 

The following mixtures are simple compounds 
and perhaps as eft"ective as any in present use : 

^^ Fish oil lOO parts 

Oil of tar 50 parts 

Crude carbolic acid i part 

Apply with hand spray pump or with a brush, 

" Fish oil • ; I gallon 

Oil of tar 2 ounces 

Oil of pennyroyal 2 ounces 

Kerosene Yi. pint 

Apply lightly with a brush. 

^^ Crude cotton-seed oil. ./. . 2 parts 

Pine tar i part 

Apply at milking time with a brush. 

13 Moore — South Dakota Bull. 81, pp. 41-42. 
"Bishop— U. S. Dept. Agr., Par's' Bull. 540. 
15 Weed— Miss. Expt. Stat, Bull. 28. 



EXTERNAL PARASITES OF POULTRY 

The external parasites of poultry are many in 
number, at least i8 different kinds of mites and 9 
or 10 different kinds of lice are parasitic on poul- 
try. One tick and two fleas are also found as pests 
on domestic fowls. 

Chicken mite ^ (Dermanyssus gallince) 
Order — Acarina 

The chicken mite can be found in almost any 
poultry house and often exceedingly abundant in 
some, especially unclean ones; it has a marked ef- 
fect on egg production ; will prevent hens from fat- 
tening and will drive sitting hens from nests; it 
causes a high mortality among young chicks and 
is a pernicious pest; the mouth parts are fitted for 
piercing and sucking and the mites suck the blood 
of their hosts ; they are usually found on fowls only 
at night, for they remain hidden during the day in 
cracks and crevices of the perches and houses. 

The mite varies in color from pale yellowish to 
red; it deposits small white eggs in cracks and 
crevices of the perches and nest boxes ; these hatch 
in 3 or 4 davs into almost white six-legged mites 
that gradually grow by casting their skins until 
they become adults with 8 legs ; the life cycle may 
be passed through in 9 or 10 days; they increase 
enormously. 

Control — Poultry houses should be built so that 
every part of them is well lighted and aired; the 
houses should be kept scrupulously clean ; the houses 

1 Herrick— Mississippi Expt. Stat., Bull. 78. 
Repp — Iowa Expt. Stat., Bull. 69. 

153 



154 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

should be built so that the perches, nest boxes, etc., 
may be readily removed leaving only four bare 
walls; spray the inside of houses with one part 
crude carbolic acid and three parts kerosene; sit- 
ting hens should be isolated from laying hens; a 
dust bath should be provided for the fowls. 

Hen lice ^ (Menopon pallidum and other species) 
Order — Mallophaga 

There are 9 or lo species of lice that infest fowls ; 
they have biting mouth-parts and live upon scales 
of cast-ofif skin and on bits of feathers — do not suck 
blood; they irritate the fowls, however, by their 
presence and interfere with growth and egg pro- 
duction and are fatal to young chicks ; these lice are 
permanent parasites and each leg ends in two sharp 
claws. 

The lice deposit their whitish eggs or *'nits" at 
the bases of the feathers; here they hatch and the 
young lice gradually grow into adults. 

Control — Use the same measures as for the 
mites; dips have been recommended but they are 
objectionable; one of the best is made by mixing 
i^ ounces of pure carbolic acid with i gallon of 
hot water; when cool immerse the fowl in it one 
minute; creolin at the rate of 2}^ ounces to the 
gallon may be used instead; the Cornell powder is 
good for dusting fowls; it is made of i part crude 
carbolic acid, 3 parts gasoline, and enough plaster 
of Paris to take up the liquid; }i pint of acid, ^ 
pint of gasoline and about 23/2 pounds of plaster 
will form about the right proportions. Apply the 
powder with a sifter or with the fingers and work 
it in among the feathers; sodium fluoride has 

2 Herrick— Cornell Univ. Expt. Stat., Bull. 359. 
Lamson and Manter— Conn. (Storrs) Expt. Stat., Bull. 86. 
Bishopp and Wood— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 801. 



POULTRY INSECTS 155 

proven to be a very simple and effective remedy; 
put a ''pinch" on head, one or two on back and be- 
neath each wing and below the vent. 

Scaly-leg^ {Cnemidocoptcs mutans) 
Order — Acarina 

Scaly-leo- among fowls is caused by a very small 
mite ; the disease is contagious and fatal if not con- 
trolled; the legs become covered with hard greyish 
crusts, the fowl becomes lame and finally unable to 
walk when it will eventually die. 

These minute mites live beneath the scales of the 
legs where a white powdery substance is formed 
which together wnth the serum forms the crust. 

Control — The disease is contagious and the af- 
fected fowl must be isolated; disinfect house with 
hot water and carbolic acid and then whitewash it; 
soak leg of fowl in warm water to soften the scales ; 
then scrape them off carefully; coat with caraway 
oil I part and 5 parts white vaseline or with Balsam 
of Peru once a day. 

Depluming scabies^ {Cnemidocoptcs gallincc) 
Order — Acarina 

Fowls often pluck out their own feathers or those 
of their mates ; the feathers often fall out of them- 
selves, that is, they break off at the bases ; the bases 
of the quills become filled with a white powdery 
substance among which the mites live; here they 
set up an irritation that causes the fowl to pull out 
its own feathers; the disease usually commences at 
the rump and gradually spreads ; the head and neck 
often become seriously affected ; the mites are most 
abundant in spring and summer ; as many as ten or 
twelve may be found at each feather. 

3 Pearl, Surface, and Curtis — Poultry Diseases and Treatment, 
Me. Expt. Stat., 191 1. 



IS6 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Control — The disease is contag'ious and the af- 
fected fowl should be isolated; dust the fowl with 
fresh Buhach; use the caraway oil, i part, and 
white vaseline 5 parts; Theobald rubs oil of cloves 
over the affected area. 

Pulmonary mite ^ (Cytodifcs nudus) 
Order — Acarina 

These mites inhabit the bronchial tubes even 
reaching- the cavities in the pneumatic bones; the 
mite is readil}^ seen with the eye; it is only when 
they are abundant that they cause trouble; they 
sometimes occur in such numbers that they close 
up the tubes and produce asphyxia; this mite is of 
considerable size and readily seen with the naked 
eye ; it is white and globular in form. 

Hen flea ° (CerafopJiyllus gallince) 
Order — Siphonaptera 

This hen flea is evidently not abundant in Amer- 
ica having been found here but twice so far ; it has 
sucking- mouthparts and lives upon the blood of 
its host ; fleas are not permanent parasites ; they get 
on the hens to feed and when through leave them. 

The female lays her white eggs in the nests 
chiefly, but sometimes on the floor among the drop- 
pings ; the eg'gs hatch into long slender white worm- 
like larvDe that live on the organic matter found 
among the cracks and crevices of the house; in 
about two weeks they make a silken cocoon and 
change to the pupa ; in two to three weeks the adults 
appear. 

Control — Same methods as advised for the con- 
trol of the mites and lice. 

*, 5 Pearl, Surface, and Curtis— Poultry Diseases and Treatment, 
Me. Expt. Stat., 1911. 
'^ Theobald — Parasitic Diseases of Poultry. 



POULTRY INSECTS I57 

The Cuban hen flea '^ (Echidnophaga gallina- 

cciis) 
Order — Siphonaptcra 

The flea occurs in the Southern States and at 
times becomes abundant and very irritating espe- 
cially to sitting- hens ; they attach themselves to the 
face, to the wattles, comb, etc., and suck the blood; 
they finally drop ofi: when mature and lay their 
eggs among the debris in the nest. 

Control — Same as for hen flea. 

Chicken tick^ {Argus miniatns) 
Order — Acarina 

Occurs in Texas in injurious numbers. 

Chicken or fowl-bug (HccmatosipJwn iiwdorus) 
Order — Hemiptera 

This is a bug closely allied to the bedbug and it 
sometimes attacks sitting hens while on their nests. 
Control — Dust fowls with fresh Buhach. 

Common bedbug {Cimcx Icctularius) 
Order — Hemiptera 

Sometimes a pest in poultry houses. 

"^ Herrick — Joiir. Ec. Ent., Vol. I, p. 355- 

8 Bishopp— U. S. Dept. Agr., Ear's' Bull. 1070. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE HOUSE- 
HOLD 

There are many insect pests that injure the food- 
stuffs, clothing, carpets, rugs, etc., of the household, 
and the aggregate loss caused by these insects is 
very large. Moreover, many of these pests are 
now known to be the disseminators of certain hu- 
man diseases, so that they have become important 
from more than one point of view; the more im- 
portant of these household pests are discussed in 
the following pages. 

E[ousE-FLY (Mitsca domestical 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 482 

The house-fly lays its white eggs in manure, de- 
caying vegetable material and other garbage; they 
hatch in 12 to 24 hours into the whitish maggots; 
the maggots reach maturity in 5 or 6 days and 
change to pupcT which are enclosed in dark-brown 
puparia ; these rest quietly about 5 days and then the 
adult comes forth ; the adults carry typhoid fever, 
cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery, and other enteric 
diseases. 

Control — Draw out stable manure twice a week 
or put it in a dark closet; treat manure piles with 
hellebore or borax; put 5^ pound of hellebore in 
10 gallons of water and sprinkle it over 8 bushels 
(10 cu. ft.) of manure or sprinkle 10 ounces of 
powdered borax over 8 bushels of the manure and 
then wet down with 2 or 3 gallons of water; build 
a modern fly-tight toilet; screen whole house espe- 

158 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 159 

cially back porch ; use tanglefoot paper and formal- 
dehyde, 2 tablespoonfiils in a pint of water; use 
fresh Buhach. 

Mosquitoes (CuIc.v and Anopheles) 
Order — Diptera. Manual, p. 437 

All mosquitoes lay their es^'gs on or in water or 
where water will eventually be; the common house 
mosquito deposits its eggs in boat-shaped masses on 
water where they hatch in 24 hours; the "wiggle- 
tails" attain their growth in 6 to 10 days and then 
transform to active pup:e; the pupal stage lasts 4 
to 6 days ; the life cycle may be passed in two weeks 
in hot weather. 

The malarial mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaeuhi- 
iiis, lays its eggs singly on top of the water; they 
hatch in 3 days and the larv?e lie in a horizontal po- 
sition just beneath the surface film for about 16 
days ; the life cycle lasts about 24 days. 

There are four mosquitoes in the United States 
that carry malaria and they all belong to the genus, 
Anoplieles. 

There is also one that carries the causative or- 
ganism of yellow fever ; it is found in all of the Gulf 
States and may occur along the Atlantic Coast as 
far north as New York City; the species is com- 
monly known as Sfcgomyia fascia fa but is now 
placed under the name Aedes arc/en feus. 

Control — Use oil on water; drain all pools of 
water ; put fish in ponds that cannot be drained or 
oiled; screen houses; kill adults with Buhach; use 
bednets. 

Ants (several species) 
Order — Hymenoptera. Manual, p. 633 
The little red ant, the black carpenter ant, the 
pavement ant, and the small black ant, are the 



i6o INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

Species most prevalent in houses in the North. In 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and CaHfornia, the 
Argentine ant is becoming a great and serious pest. 

Some ants make their nests on the lawns, in the 
walls of the houses, etc., while others make them 
in old logs, decaying beams, and stumps, others un- 
der stones in the pavement, etc. 

Control — Isolate food products; use sponges 
soaked in sweetened water; locate nests and use 
carbon bisulphide ; squirt kerosene in entrance holes 
and plug with cotton; use ant tape; use a mixture 
of tartar emetic i part, sugar lo parts and water 
to moisten well. 

Clothes moths (three species) 
Order — Lepidoptera. Manual, p. 257 

There are three species of these moths in the 
United States but only two are common in the 
North; the larvae of these often do serious injury 
by eating holes in woolen garments and by damag- 
ing furs. 

Control — Air and shake clothes frequently ; use 
moth balls ; put woolens away in tight paper sacks ; 
use a fumigation box. 

Carpet beetles (two species) 
Order — Coleoptera. Manual, p. 539 

There are two species of carpet beetles, the so- 
called "Buffalo bug" and the black carpet beetle; 
they deposit their eggs about the edges of the car- 
pet where they are feeding; these hatch and the 
hairy larvae feed on" the carpet. 

Control — Use rugs and finished floors; trap 
larvae with woolen cloths; spray carpets with ben- 
zine, whip and hang in the sunlight; wash floors 
with strong soapsuds. 



HOUSEHOLD INSECTS i6i 

Fleas (several species) 
Order — Siphonaptera. Manual, p. 490 

There are two or three species of fleas that trou- 
ble household inmates, the human flea and the cat 
and dog" fleas; the latter are the common ones and 
are the ones usually causing the trouble; the hu- 
man flea is more or less common in California; the 
cat and dog fleas lay their white eggs while the flea 
is on its host but the eggs drop to the floor where 
they hatch into long worm-like larvae; these larvae 
live on the material found in the dirt along the 
cracks of the floor and about the baseboards; cer- 
tain fleas disseminate disease, especially the plague. 

Control — Get rid of dog or cat or wash them 
often in a solution of creolin 4 teaspoonfuls to a 
quart of water for the dog, and 3 teaspoonfuls to 
a quart for the cat; use rugs and finished floors; 
wash floors with soapsuds and spray with benzine; 
use flake napthaline. 

Cockroaches (several species) 
Order — Orthoptera. Manual, p. 106 

There are four species that cause trouble in the 
United States; the croton bug, the oriental roach, 
the American roach, and the Australian roach; 
they lay their eggs in a mass in a sort of brown 
bean-like case ; they live upon all kinds of food, but 
often contaminate with a roachy odor more than 
they eat; they injure books seriously at times. 

Control — Trap them; use Buhach; use borax; 
fumigate rooms with hydrocyanic acid gas ; use in- 
sectoline ; use sodium fluoride. 

Bedbug {Cimex Iccfularws) 
Order — Hemiptera. Manual, p. 140 
These insects go into houses in visitors' baggage, 
in laundry brought in from the washerwoman's ; by 



i62 INSECTS OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 

migrating from another adjoining house; they lay 
their eggs in the cracks of beds and multiply in 
great numbers; they are suspected of carrying dis- 
ease germs. 

Control — Use iron bedsteads; paint cracks in 
beds with gasoline, kerosene, or benzine ; pour boil- 
ing water on the beds if not afraid of injuring var- 
nish; fumigate with sulphur, 2 pounds to 1000 cubic 
feet ; fumigate with hydrocyanic acid gas. 

Circ. 36, Clothes Moths. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Circ. 71, Housefly. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Circ. 108, House fleas. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Circ. 5, Carpet Beetles. U. S. Dept. Agr.. Bu. of Ent. 
Circ. 34, Ants. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Circ. 13, Mosquitoes. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Bull. 4, Household Insects. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Ear's' Bull. 679, Houseflies. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bu. of Ent. 
Book, Insects Injurious to the Household and Annoying to Man, 
Glenn W. Herrick. 

SPRAYING SCHEDULE FOR APPLES 

Dormant spray. — As the buds begin to sJiozv green 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diktted i to 8, for San Jose 
scale, oyster-shell scale, and blister mite. If aphids are 
present this application should be delayed until just as the 
buds are bursting ; at that time the young lice are clustering 
on the opening buds. 

"Black leaf 40" tobacco extract should be added, 34 pint 
to 100 gallons of lime-sulphur solution. 

Summer sprays 

(A) As the buds begin to shozv pink 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted i to 40, for apple scab; 
from 4 to 6 pounds of arsenate of lead should be added to 
100 gallons of lime-sidphur, for bud moth and case-bearers. 

(B) As the last of the petals arc falling 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted i to 40, for apple scab ; 
from 4 to 6 pounds of arsenate of lead should be added to 
100 gallons of lime-sulphur, for codling moth. This is the 
most important spray for the control of the codling moth. 

(C) Three weeks after the petals fall 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted i to 40, for apple scab; 



SPRAYING SCHEDULE 163 

from 4 to 6 pounds of arsenate of lead should be added to 
100 gallons of lime-sulphur, for codlinor moth. 

(D) The last zvcck in July 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted i to 40, for apple scab; 
from 4 to 6 pounds of arsenate of lead should be added to 
100 gallons of lime-sulphur for the second brood of codling 
moth. 

SPRAYING SCHEDULE FOR PEACHES 

Dormant spray. — Before the leaf buds szvell 

Lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted 1-8, for San Jose scale 
and peach leaf curl. If San Jose scale is not to be com- 
bated, lime-sulphur (32° Baume) diluted i to 15, or Bor- 
deaux 4-4-50, should be used. 

Summer sprays 

(A) About the time when tkc calyxes, or shucks, arc drop- 

ping from the young fruit 

(a) Seif-boiled lime-sulphur 8-8-50, with arsenate of 

lead, 2 pounds to 50 gallons, for scab. 
As this is rather early for scab and rot, the self -boiled 
lime-sulphur may be omitted, using merely 

(b) Arsenate of lead, 2 pounds to 50 gallons of water, 

for curculio. 
If the self-boiled lime-sulphur is omitted, milk of lime, 
made by slaking from 2 to 3 pounds of good stone lime, 
should be added to each 50 gallons of water. This will tend 
to counteract any caustic action of the arsenate of lead. 

(B) Two or three zveeks later, or about one month after the 

petals fall 

(a) Self-boiled lime-sulphur 8-8-50, for scab and 

brown rot. 

(b) Two pounds of arsenate of lead added to the pre- 

ceding, for curculio. 

(C) About one month before the fruit ripens 
Self-boiled lime-sulphur 8-8-50, for brown rot. Arsenate 

of lead must not be added. 



INDEX 



Acantlioscelides obtectus. . . 

io6, 

Acidia f ratria 

Adalia bipnnctata 

Aedes argentens 

Agrilus anxius 58, 

Agrilus ruficollis 

Agrilus simiatiis 

Agromyza simplex 

Alabama argillacea 

Alfalfa pests 

Alfalfa leaf-weevil 

Alsophila pometaria 

Alypia octomaculata 

Amblyomma unipuncta 

Ampcloglypter sesostris . . . 
Amphicera hicaudatns = 

Schistncerus hamatus .... 

Anarsia lineatella 

Anasa tristis 

Ancylis comptana 

Ania limboda 

Anopheles quadrimaculatus . 

Anthonomus grandis 

Anthonomus scutellaris 

Anthonomus signatus 

Anthonomus quadrigibbus. . 

Ants 

Aphid, apple-grain 

Aphid, black 

Aphid, cabbage 

Aphid, cherry 

Aphid, currant 

Aphid, green 

Aphid, pea 

Aphid, peach 

Aphid, potato 

Aphid, rosy apple 

Aphid, woolly 

Aphis avense = Rhophalosi- 

phum prunifolise 

Aphis brassicje 

Aphis forbesi 

Aphis gossypii 100, 

Aphis niaidiradicis .... 122, 

Aphis mali 

Aphis malifolias 

Aphis persicse-niger 



Aphis pomi 41 

130 Aphis rufomaculata 136 

108 Aphis runiicis 107 

5 Apliis sctarias 54 

159 Aphis sorbi 40 

139 Apple bud-worm 52 

85 Apple curculio 49 

58 Apple leaf-roller 49 

97 Apple leaf hopper 52 

127 Apple maggot 44 

123 Apple pests 2(> 

125 Apple seed-chalcis 47 

42 Apple tree borers 8 

77 Apple weevil 52 

151 Archips argyrospila 49, 59, 66, 70 

77 Archips cerasiivorana 69 

Archips obsoletana 83 

77 Archips rosaceana 

62 ;._ 52, 70, 133 

99 Argas miniatus^ Argas per- 

82 sicus 157 

112 Argas pcrsicus 157 

159 Argops,v,lla gallinacea = 

127 Echidnophaga gallinaceus. 157 

^2i Army worm 8, 118, 119 

81 Arsenate of lead 11, 14 

49 Arsenate of calcium 11, 15 

159 Arsenic, white 11 

40 Arsenite of lime 11 

136 Arsenite of copper 11 

94 Arsenite of zinc ir, 16 

67 Asparagus beetles 96, 97 

79 Asparagus miner 97 

41 Asparagus pests 96 

106 Asphondylia miki 127 

61 Aspidiotus forbesi 70 

89 Aspidiotus hederjE 134 

40 Aspidiotus howardi 59 

46 Aspidiotus juglans-regijE. .. . 81 
Aspidiotus ostreseformis. . . . 54 

40 Aspidiotus perniciosus 

94 •■.••. 25, 34, 56, 59, 8r 

83 Aspidiotus uvse 77 

129 Ataxia crypta 129 

129 Aulacaspis pentagona 66 

41 Aulacaspis rosas 87 

40 Autographa brassicse 95 

61 Autographa f alcigera 107 

165 



1 66 



INDEX 



Autographa gamma-calif or- 

nica 127 

Baits, poison 17 

Barium sulphur 26 

Bean pests los 

Bean leaf-beetle 106 

Bean weevil 106 

Bedbug 161 

Bees 4 

Beet leaf-miner 103 

Beet pests 10^? 

Bcmbecia marginata 86 

Billbugs 120 

Birch borer 139 

Birds 9 

Biting insects 8 

I'lackberry pests 83 

Black death 17 

Black-leaf-40 20 

Blastoplhaga 5 

Blister beetle 8q, 105 

Blister-mite 25, 48, 54 

Blissus leucopterus ....115, 123 

Boll-weevil 3, 4, 127 

Bollworm, cotton 128 

Bollworm, pink cotton .... 128 

Books 6 

Boophilus annulatus 149 

Bordeaux mixture t,t, 

Borer, flat-headed t,7 

Borer, round-headed 37 

Bot-fly 146, 150 

Braconids 6 

Bronze birch-borer 8, 139 

Brown-tail moth ...4, 8, 52, 141 

Bruces measuring-worm ... 5; 

Bruchophagus funebris 125 

Bruchus chinensis 107 

Bruchus obtectus 106 

Bruchus pisorum = ]\Iylab- 

rus pisorum 105 

Bruchus quadrimaculatus. . . 107 

"B.T.S." 26 

Bucculatrix pomifoliella ... 45 

Bud moth 38 

Buffalo tree-hopper 51 

Bug death _. 16 

Bumblebees 5 

Byturus unicolor 87 

Cabbage aphid 94 

Cabbage bug 95 

Cabbage looper 95 

Cabbage insects 9, 92 



Cabbage root-maggot 92 

Cabbage worm, imported . . 94 

Calandra granaria 130 

Calandra oryzaa 130 

Calendar, spray 162, 163 

Caliroa cerasi 56 

Calosoma sycophanta 10 

Canker-worm, fall 8, 42 

Canker-worm,- spring 8, 42 

CarabidcT 5 

Carbolic acid emulsion . . 19, 23 

Carbon bisulphide 27 

Carpet lieetles 160 

Carpocapsa pomonella . . .36, 59 

Carrot pests 108 

Carrot rust-fly 107 

Case-bearers 39 

Cassida bivittata 91 

Cassida nigripes 92 

Cattle lice 148 

Cattle pests 146 

Cattle tick 149 

"Zecidomyia destructor = Ma- 

yetiola destructor 114 

Celery pests 107 

Cephus pygmieus 119 

Ceratophyllus gallinre 156 

Cereal insects 114 

Ceresa bubalns 51 

Cerotoma trifurcata io5 

Ceutorhynchus rapae 96 

ChcTtocncma confinis 90 

Chalcis-flies 6 

Chermes aliietis 143 

Cherry fruit-flies 68 

Cherry leaf-miner 69 

Cherry leaf-roller 69 

Cherry louse, black 67 

Cherry insects 67 

Cliicken bug 157 

Chicken lice 154 

Chicken mite 153 

Chicken tick 157 

Chilocorus bivulnerus 5 

Chinch bug ....3, 8, 9, 115, 123 

Chionaspis f urfura 57 

Chloridia virescens 113 

Chrysanthemum midge .... 134 

Chrysobothris femorata ... 37 

Chrysops vittatus 151 

Cimex lectularius 157, 161 

Cigar case-bearer 39 

Clothes moths 160 

Clover flower-midge ....... 124 

Clover hay-worm 126 



INDEX 



167 



Clover leaf-beetle 124 

Clover pests 9, 12,3 

Clover root-borer 123 

Clover seed-chalcis 125 

Clover seed-caterpillar 126 

Cnemidocoptes gallui.'e 155 

Cnemidocoptes mulans .... 155 

Coccus besperidum 134 

Cochineal 4 

Cockroaches 161 

Codling moth . .3, 8, 36, 59, 67 

Coleopbora fletclierella .... 39 

Coleopliora malivorella .... 39 

Coleoptera 7 

Colorado potato beetle .... 88 

Conotrachelns crata?gi 66 

Conotrachelus nenuphar .... 52 

Contact substances 19 

Contarinia jobnsoni 76 

Contarinia pyrivora 57 

Contarinia tritici 115 

Control, artificial methods of 10 

Control, natural methods of 9 

Coptocycla bicolor 92 

Corn pests 9, 119 

Cornborcr, European 122 

Corn root-aphid 122 

Cotton-boll weevil 9, 127 

Cotton pests 127 

Crambus sps 120 

Craponius ina?quaHs 77 

Crioccris asparagi 96 

Crioceris duodecimpunctata. 97 

Cryptorhynchus lapathi .... 140 

Cucumlier beetle 8, 98 

Cucumber pests 98 

Culex pipiens 159 

Curculio, apple 49 

Curculio, plum 52 

Currant apliid 79 

Currant moth-borer 70 

Currant pests 78 

Currant stcm-girdler 78 

Currant worm, imported ... 78 

Cutworms 92, 93, 102, 120 

Cylas formicarius 91 

Cyanide, sodium 27 

Cyllene robinios 143 

Cytodites nudus 156 

Dasyneura leguminicola .... 124 

Dasynenra rhodophaga .... 133 

Dasyneura trifolii 126 

Datana ministra 51 

Depluming scabies 155 



Depressaria heracliana 108 

Dermanyssus gallin;c 153 

Desmia funeralis 76 

l)ia1)rotica longicornis 123 

Diabrotica 12-punctata .... 100 

Diabrotica vittata 98 

Diaphania hyalinata 100 

Diaphania nitidalis 100 

Diarthromyia hy.pogjea .... 134 

Diaspsis bromallise 134 

Dicyphus minimus 113 

Diplosis pyrivora^ Contari- 
nia pyrivora 57 

Diplosis tritici :;= Contarinia 

tritici 115 

Diptera 7 

Disonycha xanthomehena . . 104 

Dusting 30 

Dysdercus suturellus 129 

Eccoptogaster rugulosus = 

Scolytus rugulosus 61 

Echidnophaga gallinaceus. . . 157 

Elm leaf-beetle 137 

Elm leaf-miner 137 

Empoasca mali 52 

Empria f ragariae 83 

Emulsions of oils 22 

Enarmonia interstinctana . . 126 
Ennomos subsignarius .... 141 

Entomology i 

Ephestia kuehniella 130 

Epicauta vittata 89 

Epilachna borealis 100 

Epilachna corrupta 107 

Epitrix cucumcris 88 

Epitrix fuscula 90 

Epitrix parvula 90, it2 

Epochra canadensis 81 

Erannis tiliaria 52 

Eriophyes pyri 48, 54 

Eriosoma lanigera 46 

Eulecanium armeniacum ... 77 
Euproctis chrysorrhrea ..52, 141 

Eurymus eurytheme 127 

Eutettix tenella lo; 

Euthrips pyri 58 

Euzophera semifuneralis ... 54 

Evergestis rimosalis 96 

Exartcma malanum 52 

Fall web- worm 50, 139 

Eertilizers, commercial .... o 
Fever, typhoid 158 



INDEX 



Fever, yellow 159 

Fidia viticida 72 

Fig, Smyrna 5 

Flat-headed borer 37 

Fleas 161 

Fleas, hen 156, 157 

Flea-beetles 96, 102 

Flycatchers 10 

Formaldehyde 28 

Fruit-tree bark-beetle 61 

Fruit-tree leaf-roller 49 

Fruit worms, green 48 

Fumigating substances .... 27 

Gad-fly 150 

Galerucella luteola 137 

Gasoline torch 29 

Gastrophilus intestinalis . . . 150 

Gastrophilus nasalis 150 

Gortyna immanis 109 

Gossyparia spuria 143 

Grain insects 130 

Grape berry-moth 75 

Grape blossom-midge 76 

Grape insects 71 

Grape leaf hopper 74 

Grape leaf-folder 76 

Grape phylloxera 71 

Grape root-worm 72 

Grape-vine flea-beetle T2, 

Grasshoppers 8, 118 

Green aphid 41 

Green fruit worms 48 

Greenhouse pests 131 

Gymnonychus appendiculatus 8) 

Gypsy-moth 4, 8, 52, 142 

Hrematobia serrata 147 

HcTmatopinus eurysternus . . 148 

Hnematopinus urius 151 

Haematopinus vituli 148 

Hrematosiphon inodorus . . . 157 

Haltica chalybea T^t 

Harrisina americana TJ 

Hartigia abdominalis 87 

Hawks 9 

Heat _ 28 

Hcliophila unipuncta ...118, 119 

Heliothis obsoleta 

103, 113, 121, 128 

Heliothrips hasmorrhoidalis. 135 

Hellebore Ii, 17 

Hellula undalis 96 

Hemerocampa leucostigma 

44, 138 



Hemichionaspis aspidistrse. . 134 

Hemiptera 7 

Hen flea 156, 157 

Hessian fly 3, 9, 114 

Pleterocordylus malinus .... 47 

Hickory bark-borer 140 

Hippodamia convergens. . . .5, 10 

Hog louse 151 

Holcocera maligemmella. . . . 52 

Honey 4 

Hop merchants Iii 

Hop-plant borer 109 

Hop-plant louse 109 

Hop-vine snout-moth no 

Hoplocampa cookei 70 

Horn-fly 147 

Horse pests 150 

Hose ZZ 

House-fly 158 

Household insects 158 

Hyalopterus arundinis 54 

Hydrocyanic acid gas 27 

Hylastinus obscurus 123 

Hylemyia antiqua loi 

Hymenoptera 6, 7 

Hypena huniuli no 

Hypera punctata --=■ Phytono- 

mus punctata 124 

Hyphantria textor 50, 139 

Hypoderma lineata 146 

Hypsopygia costalis 126 

Ichneumon flies 6 

Insect parasites 5 

Insects, number of 7 

Insecticides, contact 18, 19 

Insecticides, poison 11 

Isosoma grande 117 

Isosoma tritici 117 

Itch, sheep 144 

Janus integer 78 

Kaliosysphinga ulmi 137 

Kerosene emulsion 22 

Lachnosterna sps 81 

Ladybird beetles 5 

Languria mozardi 126 

Lanterns 29 

Laphygma exigua 105 

Laphygma frugiperda 123 

Lasioderma serricorne 113 

Laspeyresia molesta 65 



INDEX 



169 



Laws, insecticide and quar- 
antine 33 

Leaf-bug, 4-lined 80 

Leaf-crunipler 52 

Leafhoppers 8 

Leaf-roller 49. 52 

Leaf-roller, oblique-banded. 133 

Leaf-tier, greenhouse 131 

Lecanium corni 53 

Lecanium nigrofasciatum. . . 63 

Lepidoptera 7 

Lepidosaphes ulmi 45 

Leptinotarsa lo-lineata 88 

Leucania unipuncta — Helio- 

phila unipuncta ....118, 119 

Lice, cattle 148 

Lice, poultry IS4 

Ligyrus gibbosus 108 

Lime-sulphur 19, 23, 25 

Lime-tree span-worm 52 

Linden moth 141 

Linognathus vituli 148 

Literature 6 

London purple II, 17 

Losses by insects 2, 3 

Loxostege sticticalis 105 

Lycia cognataria 81 

Lygidea'mendax 47 

Lygus communis 59 

Lygus pratensis 64, 108 

Lyperosia irritans — Hsema- 

tobia serrata 147 

Macrodactylus subspinosus . 73 

Macrosiphum pisi 106 

flVIacrosiphum rosse 136 

Macrosiphum sanborni 136 

Macrosiphum solanifolii ... 89 

Magdalis asnescens 52 

Malacosoma americana ...43, 66 

Malacosoma disstria ....43, 143 

Malaria 3 

Mamestra trifolii 105 

Mayetiola destructor = Ceci- 

domyia destructor 114 

Mealy bugs 134 

Melanoplus atlanis 118 

Melanoplus bivittatus 118 

Melanoplus differentialis. . . . 118 

Melanoplus femur-rubrum. . 118 

Melittia satyriniformis 99 

Melon pests 99 

Melon louse 100 

Melophagus ovinus 145 

Menopon pallidum 154 



A/feromyza americana 116 

Metallus rubi 87 

Mineola indigenella 52 

Miscible oils 22 

Monophadnus rubi 84 

Mosquitoes 3, 159 

Moth, clothes 160 

Musca domestica 158 

Murgantia histrionica 95 

M3dabrus (Bruchus) piso- 

rum 105, 130 

Myzus cerasi 67 

Myzus mahaleb 54 

Myzus persicse 63, 104, 136 

Myzus ribis 79 

Myzus rosarum 136 

Nectarophora avenae 119 

Nepticula slingerlandella ... 54 

Neurotoma inconspicua 54 

Novius cardinalis 10 

Nozzles 32 

Nuthatches 10 

Oberea bimaculata 83 

Oecanthus nigricornis . ■ . ."77, 84 

Oestrus ovis I44 

Oils 19, 21 

Onion maggot loi 

Onion thrips loi 

Orioles 10 

Orthoptera 7 

Otiorhynchus ovatus 83 

Owl 9 

Ox-warble 146 

Oxyptilus periscelidactylus. . 77 
Oyster-shell bark-louse 45 

Pachymerus chiuensis 107 

Pachymcrus quadrimaculatus 107 
Pachynematus cxtensicornis 119 

Paleacrita vernata 42 

Palmer-worm 51 

Pamphilius persicus 66 

Papaipema nitela 123 

Papilio polyxenes 107, 108 

Paracalocoris hawleyi in 

Paragrene n 

Parakicilia macellaria = 

Compsomyia macellaria . . 151 

Parasitic insects 5- 10 

Paris green 11, 12, 13 

Parsnip pests 108 

Pea aphid 106 

Pea weevil 9, 105 



I/O 



INDEX 



Peach aphid, black 6i 

Peach aphid, green 63 

Peach insects 59 

Peach lecanium 63 

Peach moth, oriental 65 

Peach-tree bark-beetle 62 

Peach-tree borer 8, 60 

Peach twig-borer 62 

Pear blight beetle 59 

Pear borer, sinuate 58 

Pear insects 54 

Pear-leaf blister-mite 48, 54 

Pear midge 57 

Pear psylla 55 

Pear slug 56 

Pear thrips 58 

Pectinophora gossypiella. . . . 128 

Pegomya hyoscyami 103 

Pemphigus betK 105 

Phlegethontius quinquemac- 

ula'ta 102 

Phlegethontius sexta Ii2 

Phloeotribus liminaris 62 

Phorbia brassicas 92 

Phorl)ia fusiceps 107, 123 

Phorl^a rubivora 85 

Phorodon humuli 109 

Phthorinijea operculclla . .90, 112 

Pliylct.tnia ferrugalis. . . 108, 131 

Phyllophaga 81, 120 

Phylloxera vastatrix 71 

Phytonomus posticus 125 

Pistol case-bearer 39 

Phytonomus nigrirostris. . . . 127 

Plagionotus spcciosus 143 

Plodia interpunctella 130 

Plum curculio 9, 51, 52, 65 

Plum gouger 53 

Plum insects 52 

Plum scale 53 

Plutella macuHpcnnis 96 

Precilocapsus lineatus 80 

Poisons II 

Polychrosis viteana 75 

Polygonia comma iii 

Polygonia interrogationis. . . iii 

Pontia protodice 96 

Pontia rapa; 94 

Poplar borer *. 140 

Porthetria dispar 52, 142 

Potato aphid 89 

Potato flea-beetle 88 

Potato insects 88 

Potato stalk-borer 90 

Poultry pests IS3 



Predaceous insects 10 

Proctotrypid-flies 6 

Profenusa collaris 6g 

Pscudanthonomjis cratsegi.. 52 

Pseudococcus adonidum .... 134 

Pseudococcus citri 134 

Pseudococcus trifolii 127 

Psila rosae 107 

Psoroptes communis 144 

Psylla pyricola 55 

Psylliodes punctulata iii 

Pteronus ribesii 78 

Pterophorus monodactylus. . 92 

Pulmonacy, mite 156 

Pulvinaria vitis "]"], 143 

Pumps 32 

Pyrausta nubilalis 122 

Pyrethrum 18, 19 

Quince curculio 66 

Rachela bruceata 52 

Raspberry cane-borer 8, 83 

Raspberry cane-maggot 85 

Raspberry root-borer 86 

Raspberry saw-fly 84 

Redbugs. apple 47 

Redbug, hop in 

Red-humped apple-worm... 50 

Red-necked cane-borer .... 85 

Red spider 87, in, 129, 135 

Repellants for stock 151 

Rhagoletis cingulata 68 

Rhagoletis fausta 68 

Rhagoletis ribicola 81 

Rhagoletis pomonella 44 

Rhopalosiphum persicse 136 

Phopalosiphum prunifolise . . 40 

Rhopalosiphum violas 136 

Ribbed cocoon-maker 45 

Rose chafer "]}, 

Rose midge 133 

Round-headed borer Zl 

San Jose scale 

3, 4 25, 56, 59. 66 

Sanninoidea exitiosa 60 

Saperda Candida Zl 

Saperda tridentata 143 

Saissetia hemispha^rica .... 134 

Scab, sheep 144 

Scale insects, greenhouse... 134 

Scaly-leg 155 

Schistocerus hamatus = Am- 

phicerus ibicaudatus T] 



INDEX 



171 



Schizura concinna 50 

Scolytus quadrispinosus. . . . 140 
Scolytus rugulosus = Eccop- 

togaster rugulosus 61 

Scurfy bark-louse 57 

Semasia nigricana 107 

Sesia rutilans 83 

Sesia tipuliformis 79 

Shade-tree pests 137 

Sheep louse 146 

Sheep pests 144 

Sheep tick 145 

Shellac 4 

Shot-hole borer 8 

Silk-worms 4 

Silvanus surinamensis 130 

Simulium meridionale 151 

Simulium pecuarum 151 

Sitones flavescens 127 

Sitones hispidulus 127 

Sitotroga cerealella 130 

Slug-shot 16 

Soaps 19, 20 

Sodium sulphur 26 

Soluble sulphur 26 

Sphenophorus callosus .... 120 

Sphenophorus sequalis 121 

Sphenophorus parvulus 121 

Spinach flea-beetle 104 

Spinach pests 103 

Spraying, history of 30 

Spraying schedules 162, 163 

Spray-sulphur 26 

Squash bug 99 

Squash-vine borer 99 

Stegomyia fasciata 159 

Stock, repellants for 151 

Stomoxys calcitrans 151 

Stored grain pests 130 

Strawberry insects 81 

Strawberry leaf-roller 82 

Strawberry weevil 82 

Sucking insects 8 

Sulphur, soluble 26 

Swallows 10 

Sweet potato flea-beetle ... 90 

Synanthedon picipes 66 

Syntomaspis druparum 47 

Syrphidae 5 

Tabanus atratus 150 

Tabanus exul 151 

Tachinidas 6 

Tanglefoot 29 



Tarnished plant-bug 64 

Tarnished plant-bug, false.. 59 

Tent caterpillars 8, 43 

Totranychus telarius 

• • 87, III, 129, 135 

Thrips tabaci loi 

Thrips, greenhouse 135 

Thyridopteryx ephemeraefor- 

_mis 143 

Tipulidse 119 

Tischeria malifoliella 49 

Titmice ic 

Tmetocera ocellana 38 

Tobacco flea-beetle 1 12 

Tobacco pests 8, 112 

Tobacco 19 

Tobacco paper 28 

Tomato pests 8, 102 

Torch, gasoline 29 

Tower 33 

Toxoptera graminum 119 

Trap lanterns 29 

Tree-cricket, striped 84 

Treeleim 30 

Tremex columba 143 

Trialeurodes vaporariorum. 132 

Trichobaris trinotata 90 

Trichodectes scalaris 149 

Trichodectes sph.Trocephalus 146 

Tritoxa flexa 102 

Trumpet leaf-miner 49 

Tussock moth 44, 138 

Twig girdler 8 

Tyloderma fragarise 83 

Typhlocyba comes 74 

Typhoid 2 

Typophorus canellus 83 

Vireos 10 

Warblers 10 

Wax 4 

Webworm sod », 120 

Wheat insects 114 

Wheat joint-worm 117 

Wheat midge 115 

Wheat-stem maggot 116 

Wheat straw-worm 117 

White-fly 132 

White grubs 9, 8r, 120 

Willow-borer 140 

Wire worms 9. 116, 119 

Woodpeckers 10 

Woolly-aphid 46 

Wren 10 



172 INDEX 

Xyleborus dispar 59 Yellow-necked caterpillars ... 51 

Xylina antennata 48, 59 Ypsolophus ligulellus 51 

Xylina laticinerea 48 

Zeuzera pyrina 143 



FEINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OP AMERICA 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

ODOOflflaolDH 





